How Much Could Health Information Management Make?

Key Insights:

• Health information management (HIM) wages vary based on state and can even change within each state depending on whether you work in a rural or urban area.
• Several other factors can impact your pay in a healthcare information management profession, including your level of education, experience, and whether you hold any relevant certifications.
• UMA not only provides a Health Information Management program to help get you started in this field, but our helpful and caring team members are also here to help you decide whether a HIM career may be good for you.

Professionals in the health information management (HIM) field help healthcare organizations collect, manage, and safeguard their patients' private information. If you like the idea of working within digital healthcare systems, you may be curious about the pay potential. How much do people in health information management roles make?

The answer varies based on a variety of factors. Here we discuss several things that can affect the earning potential in a HIM role. If you like what you learn, we also share how to get started on your health information management career.

Health Information Management Wages Vary by State

One factor that can impact your wages as a health information management professional is the state in which you work. Some states pay individuals in these roles more, while others might pay less. Wages can also vary within each state depending on whether you work in a metropolitan or rural area.

To learn more about general wages in the area you plan to work, you can do an online search for "health information management pay in [enter your town or State]." This will give you a list of resources you can check. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also provides national pay information for medical records specialists, the category in which health information management professionals fall.

Additional Factors That Can Impact Health Information Management Pay

Several other factors can impact pay ranges for individuals working in a health information management role. They include:¹

• Experience level
• Education
• Whether you hold any advanced certifications (such as RHIT certification)
• Skill sets related to the role
• Recommendations from previous employers

A Good Source of Health Information Management Pay Information: Job Posts

Health information management job posts can help you identify your income potential based on your qualifications and geographical location. Do a search for roles you'd be interested in pursuing and see what they pay.

Job titles to look for include:

• Health information specialist
• Medical records specialist
• Medical office assistant

Is Health Information Management the Career Path for You?

Of course, pay isn't the only reason to explore careers in health information management. Also consider your interests, preferred job duties, and what you can do with a health information management degree.

If you're unsure whether to pursue a career in this field, our health information management career guide may help. It provides more information about what health information is, the duties you may perform, and more.

We've also created a blog that provides answers to common health information management questions. We even provide tips to do well in your health information management courses, should you decide to pursue a HIM degree.

*Note: UMA does not guarantee specific outcomes for our Health Information Management students or grads, including those related to pay levels.

Ready to Pursue Career Training in Health Information Management?

If you are interested in the health information management field, UMA offers a Health Information Management Associate of Science / Associate of Applied Science Degree program.

This program enables you to earn your degree mostly online, while also providing the opportunity to participate in an on-site practicum for real-world experience. It can be completed in 18 months or more² and includes courses about healthcare records, computer office productivity applications, and healthcare information technology.

Earning your health information management degree helps prepare you to pursue entry-level positions in this healthcare role. UMA's program also prepares you to sit for the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification exam, if eligible.³

UMA supports the whole student's academic journey

If you're wondering what UMA is about, one of the most notable things to understand is that we support our learners every step of the way.

During your time with us, we work with you to overcome your learning challenges. Our Career Services team can also assist with your job search, whether that involves helping you craft a solid resume, running you through a mock job interview, or potentially connecting you with one of our employer partners who prefers to hire UMA grads.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help you prepare to pursue a health information management entry-level role. We look forward to hearing from you!

About UMA's Health Information Management program accreditation

The Health Information Management accreditor of Ultimate Medical Academy's Health Information Management program is the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (CAHIIM). Ultimate Medical Academy's accreditation for the Health Information Management associate degree has been reaffirmed through 2033-2034. All inquiries about the program's accreditation status should be directed by mail to CAHIIM, 200 East Randolph Street, Suite 5100, Chicago, IL 60601; by phone at 312-235-3255; or by email at info@cahiim.org.

FAQs

• How much does a health information technician make? Your pay as a health information technician can vary depending on a variety of factors, from your level of education and experience to the location you plan to work. An online search can help you learn the pay in your area for someone with your qualifications. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also provides wage information for medical records specialists, the category within which HIM professionals fall.
• How much does health information management make? Your pay as a health information management professional can vary depending on your level of education, experience, location, and more. An online search can help you learn the general pay in your area. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also provides wage information for medical records specialists, the category within which HIM professionals fall.
• How much does an RHIT make? Earning a professional certification, like the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential, may increase your income potential.⁴ A quick online search can help reveal what RHITs earn in your area. You may also wish to reach out to RHIT certification providers such as AHIMA to learn whether they can provide any wage information.
• Is a health information management degree worth it? Only you can decide whether a HIM degree is worth pursuing for you. Consider your interests, passions, and healthcare career goals when answering this question. You can also contact one of our helpful team members who would be glad to answer any questions you may have to help you make your decision.