Health information management (HIM) professionals collect, organize, and track patient health information. This includes recording their vital statistics, diagnoses, testing procedures, and treatments. Individuals working in HIM also help protect patient data, maintaining confidentiality and privacy standards. If you’re considering this type of role, you may be wondering about the average salary in health information management.
Health Information Management Median Salary
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that in May 2020, the median annual wage for health information specialists was $44,0901. This equates to roughly $21.20 per hour. As the median pay, this means that one-half of workers in this type of occupation earn more than $44,090 annually and the other half earn less.
The BLS adds that this amount is approximately $2,140 more than the median annual wage for all other occupations combined, which is $41,950. It is also slightly less than the amount earned by those in health technologist and technician roles, which have a median salary of $45,620 per year.
Top 5 States for HIM Salaries
Some states are known to pay health information management professionals higher than the median amounts. The five states and U.S. territories that tend to pay the most for those working in HIM positions are3:
- District of Columbia – $60,630 annual mean wage, $29.10 hourly mean wage
- Alaska – $58,620 annual mean wage, $28.18 hourly mean wage
- Washington – $56,890 annual mean wage, $27.35 hourly mean wage
- Massachusetts – $56,650 annual mean wage, $27.23 hourly mean wage
- Minnesota – $55,450 annual mean wage, $26.66 hourly mean wage
The mean salary in health information management can also change based on the population in the state in which you work. For example, in May 2020, the top paying metropolitan area for individuals in HIM roles was Kokomo, Indiana, which had an annual mean wage of $71,470 and an hourly mean wage of $34.363. The top paying nonmetropolitan area was Northwest Virginia with a mean annual wage of $66,960 and a mean hourly wage of $32.19.
Salary Differences Based on Level of Education
Actual salary potential can vary based on a number of factors. One of those factors is your level of education. Whether you have an associate degree, a bachelor’s, or a master’s can all potentially impact your wage-earning potential.
In 2017, a person 25 and older with a high school diploma and no college earned a median weekly rate of $7124. The median earnings for someone with an associate degree were $836 weekly and a person with a bachelor’s degree earned a median weekly amount of $1,173. The median for those holding a master’s degree was $1,401 weekly.
This same data reveals that as the level of education increases, unemployment rates decrease. For example, the unemployment rate for individuals with a high school diploma was 4.6% in 2017. This rate was reduced to 3.4% for those holding an associate degree.
Other Factors That Can Impact HIM Salary
Additional factors can impact how much you earn in a health information management role. These include your level of experience, whether you hold any certifications, and even the industry within which you work.
According to the BLS, HIM professionals working for companies and enterprises tend to earn the most with a median annual wage of $50,0101. This is followed by those who work in hospitals ($46,880) and those offering administrative and support services ($43,890). The other two top industries for health information roles are scientific and technical services ($43,460) and physician’s offices ($39,190).
HIM Job Outlook
Jobs in health information management are expected to increase 8% between 2019 and 20295. This rate is deemed “much faster than average” since the average growth rate for all other occupations combined is 4% during this same time frame. Should this prediction hold, this could equate to roughly 29,000 new positions created in medical records and health information management.
The projected growth rate for those in management positions is even higher with medical and health service management roles anticipated to grow 32% between 2019 and 2029, potentially creating more than 133,000 new openings6. If your career goal is to advance into a supervisory or director-level health information management position, this can provide an opportunity in the years ahead.
Career Options in Health Information Management
The health information management field encompasses a variety of entry-level job titles. Among them are:
- Health Information Technician
- Medical Records Technician
- Medical Records Analyst
- Medical Records Coordinator
- Medical Coder
- Medical Billing Specialist
With higher levels of education and experience, you may also be qualified to pursue more advanced HIM roles. HIM Manager, Electronic Health Record (EHR) Director, Population Health Analyst, and Chief Technology Officer are a few to consider.
Start Working Toward a Career in Health Information Management
If health information management feels like a career option for you, Ultimate Medical Academy offers a Health Information Management Associate Degree. This program is online and can be completed in 18 months2. Students participate in a 90-hour externship, providing the opportunity to learn in an actual healthcare facility. Contact us today to learn more or to help you decide whether health information management is the right choice for you.
FAQs
- How much money does a health information management specialist make? The median annual wage for health information specialists was $44,090 in May 20201. Your actual salary and pay can vary based on a variety of factors, some of which include your level of education and experience, whether you hold any certifications, and the industry in which you work.
- Which states pay the most for health information management techs? The top paying states for health information management positions are the District of Columbia, Alaska, Washington, Massachusetts, and Minnesota3. However, pay also varies within these states with metropolitan areas sometimes paying HIM professionals more than positions in nonmetropolitan areas.
