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Health information technologist: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $39,830lowest 10% earn less
- $48,94025th percentile
- $68,020median
- $95,63075th percentile
- $117,420top 10% earn more
BLS groups health information technologists with medical registrars, and the median wage was $68,020 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 15.9% from 2025 to 2035[2].
How much do health information technologists make?
The median wage was $68,020 a year, or $32.70 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $74,970 a year, or $36.04 an hour[7].
The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $39,830, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $48,940[3]. The highest-paid 25% earned more than $95,630, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $117,420[3]. Hourly, those marks were $19.15, $23.53, $45.98 and $56.45[8]. These are boundaries between groups of workers. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].
For all occupations in the US, the median was $50,980[4]. The median for this group was higher.
These wages cover people paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, bonuses that are not tied to production, and the cost of benefits[10].
Pay by state and city
Arkansas had the highest state median at $93,300, followed by Minnesota at $90,760 and California at $90,750[11]. New Mexico had the lowest listed median, at $42,000[11].
The most jobs were in California (2,920), Texas (2,880), Ohio (2,500), North Carolina (2,370) and Florida (2,360)[12]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $126,670[13]. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA was next at $111,480, then Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA at $101,500[13].
The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs, at 2,340, with a median of $77,860[14]. Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia had 990 jobs and a median of $42,480, well below the national median[14][1].
Show median pay in 49 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas[11] | $93,300 | n/a |
| Minnesota | $90,760 | 1,040 |
| California | $90,750 | 2,920 |
| Wisconsin | $89,260 | 650 |
| Wyoming | $88,560 | 50 |
| Oregon | $86,230 | 660 |
| Massachusetts | $81,420 | 880 |
| North Dakota | $81,170 | 60 |
| New Hampshire | $81,020 | 170 |
| Iowa | $80,600 | 270 |
| Montana | $79,140 | 190 |
| Colorado | $78,470 | 370 |
| Florida | $76,950 | 2,360 |
| Texas | $76,820 | 2,880 |
| Connecticut | $76,140 | 180 |
| District of Columbia | $75,460 | 80 |
| New York | $75,320 | 2,000 |
| Utah | $75,320 | n/a |
| Vermont | $73,130 | 80 |
| Rhode Island | $72,120 | 50 |
| Ohio | $71,330 | 2,500 |
| Alaska | $71,100 | 70 |
| Georgia | $70,170 | 1,630 |
| Maryland | $70,040 | 1,170 |
| Delaware | $68,890 | n/a |
| Michigan | $67,150 | 1,020 |
| Louisiana | $65,620 | 210 |
| Tennessee | $64,560 | 580 |
| Nevada | $63,610 | 250 |
| North Carolina | $63,010 | 2,370 |
| Illinois | $62,780 | 900 |
| New Jersey | $61,940 | 1,680 |
| West Virginia | $61,330 | 100 |
| South Dakota | $60,740 | 140 |
| Kansas | $60,030 | 610 |
| Pennsylvania | $59,980 | 1,090 |
| Washington | $59,640 | 670 |
| Missouri | $59,380 | 930 |
| Virginia | $59,060 | 770 |
| Idaho | $56,300 | 560 |
| Hawaii | $51,930 | 150 |
| Arizona | $50,740 | 900 |
| Maine | $50,320 | 200 |
| Nebraska | $49,520 | 260 |
| Kentucky | $49,330 | 1,320 |
| Mississippi | $47,000 | 120 |
| Indiana | $46,470 | 1,040 |
| Oklahoma | $45,210 | 610 |
| South Carolina | $44,530 | 470 |
| New Mexico | $42,000 | 120 |
How to become a health information technologist
BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical education for entry, with no work experience or on-the-job training typical[6]. Requirements vary, though. Some jobs need a bachelor's or master's degree[15].
- First: earn at least an associate's degree[15]. The degree can be in health information management, another healthcare field, or a nonmedical subject such as computer and information technology[16].
- Next: consider certification. Employers may prefer it, or expect you to earn it after you are hired[17].
- Then: build toward advancement if you want it. Some workers move up to medical and health services manager roles, and employers may want more advanced certification or a bachelor's or master's degree[18].
High school students may benefit from classes in anatomy and physiology, biology, computer science and math[19]. Degree programs may include courses on medical terminology, data requirements, ethics, and coding systems[16]. Certification often needs a formal education program, experience and an exam[17]. How long training takes is not in our data.
What health information technologists do
O*NET describes the work as applying knowledge of healthcare and information systems to help design, build and update computerized healthcare systems[20]. Workers also gather and analyze patient treatment and follow-up information[20]. Tasks include:
- Assigning patients to diagnosis-related groups with software[21]
- Compiling medical care and census data for statistical reports[21]
- Designing databases for healthcare applications with security, performance and reliability in mind[21]
- Coding patient data with standard classification systems[21]
- Recommending upgrades to existing computerized healthcare systems[21]
- Following changes in laws and accreditation standards on information security or privacy[21]
- Managing a medical records department or supervising clerical staff[21]
BLS lists analytical skills, attention to detail, integrity, interpersonal skills and problem-solving as important qualities[22][23][24][25][26].
Where they work
These workers usually work in an office and may spend many hours at a computer[27]. Most work full time[28]. Hospitals, including state, local and private ones, were the largest employer, with 46% of workers in 2025[29]. In 2025, 7.2% were self-employed[30].
Job outlook
BLS projects employment to grow 15.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 42,000 to 48,600 jobs, a change of 6,700[2]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[31]. These counts include self-employed workers[2]. The OEWS count of 38,100 jobs covers wage and salary workers only[32].
About 3,000 openings are projected each year on average[5]. That figure includes jobs left by people who retire or change occupations, as well as new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.5% of workers leave the labor force and 2.7% move to a different occupation[33].
BLS names growing amounts of health data as a factor. Organizations will need technologists and registrars to process that data[34].
Is it a good fit?
The median wage is above the all-occupations median, and the range runs from under $39,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to over $117,420 for the highest-paid 10%[1][4][3]. Pay differs a lot by place[11][13]. The typical entry education is an associate's degree, though some jobs ask for more[6][15]. Growth is projected well above the all-occupations rate[2][31]. The work is mostly office and computer based[27]. Certification may matter to employers, so check job listings in your area[17].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a health information technologist make an hour?
- The median wage was $32.70 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $36.04[1][7].
- What degree do you need to be a health information technologist?
- BLS lists an associate's degree as typical for entry. Some positions require a bachelor's or master's degree[6][15].
- Is health information technology in demand?
- Employment is projected to grow 15.9% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations, with about 3,000 openings a year[2][31][5].
- What is the highest paying state for health information technologists?
- Arkansas, with a median of $93,300, followed by Minnesota at $90,760[11].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars in the US was $68,020 per year and $32.70 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars is projected to grow 15.9% from 2025 to 2035, from about 42,000 to 48,600 jobs (a change of +6,700). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars: 10th percentile $39,830, 25th percentile $48,940, 75th percentile $95,630, 90th percentile $117,420. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 3,000 openings for Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars: education needed for entry: Associate's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars was $74,970 per year and $36.04 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars: 10th percentile $19.15, 25th percentile $23.53, 75th percentile $45.98, 90th percentile $56.45. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage for Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars jobs: California 2,920; Texas 2,880; Ohio 2,500; North Carolina 2,370; Florida 2,360. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $126,670; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $111,480; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $101,500; Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $100,740; Madison, WI $98,530; Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL $93,440; Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $92,750; Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $91,910. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 2,340 (median $77,860); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 1,200 (median $87,530); Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC 990 (median $42,480); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 990 (median $60,080); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 880 (median $79,800); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 820 (median $78,960). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET description of Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars. O*NET OnLine
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of health information technologists and medical registrars in 2025: Hospitals; state, local, and private 46%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: 7.2% of Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 38,100 people were employed as Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars: 2.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars: Demand change - share increases as larger amounts of health data are generated over the coming years. Organizations across all industries, especially those tied to healthcare, will need technologists and registrars to process the data to support operational and clinical decision-making. BLS Employment Projections
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.