What Medical Records Specialists do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Medical Records Specialists this way: "Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare system. Classify medical and healthcare concepts, including diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment, into the healthcare industry's numerical coding system. Includes medical coders."
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is postsecondary nondegree award.
Job outlook for Medical Records Specialists
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 200,700 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 216,300 in 2035, an increase of 15,600 jobs (+7.8%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 14,000 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 7.0% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $51,140, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Medical Records Specialists earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $57,636 in New Jersey to $63,370 in California, a gap of $5,735 (1.10 times). 3 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $51,140 and 0 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 17,860, which is 43.1% of the 41,440 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 12,030.
Highest-paying states
California ($63,370), New York ($59,023) and New Jersey ($57,636) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($57,636) and New York ($59,023) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Medical Records Specialists: pay against the cost of living
We compare 3 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $18,136. The smallest margin is $7,649 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 3 of the 3 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 48.2% and 67.5% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Medical Records Specialists
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (29-2000) include Diagnostic Medical Sonographers, Radiologic Technologists and Technicians, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians.
Frequently asked questions about Medical Records Specialists
How much do Medical Records Specialists earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $51,140. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $57,636 to $63,370.
Which state pays Medical Records Specialists the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $63,370. New York is next at $59,023.
Is Medical Records Specialists a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 7.8% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 14,000 openings a year.
What education do Medical Records Specialists need?
The typical entry-level education is postsecondary nondegree award, according to BLS.
Where can Medical Records Specialists afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $18,136 on a median wage of $61,190.