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 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $57,636 in New Jersey to $59,023 in New York, a gap of $1,387 (1.02 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $51,140 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 12,030, which is 51.0% of the 23,580 counted across them. New York follows with 11,550.
Highest-paying states
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.
Occupations related to Medical Records Specialists
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (29-2000) include Radiologic Technologists and Technicians, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians and Pharmacy 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 $59,023.
Which state pays Medical Records Specialists the most?
New York, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $59,023. New Jersey is next at $57,636.
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.