Medical Records Specialists

People in this career compile and maintain patient records for clinics and hospitals. They ensure all documentation complies with medical, legal, ethical, and administrative standards. A major part of the job involves translating diagnoses, procedures, and medical equipment into industry-standard numerical codes. Day-to-day tasks require getting information, working with computers, documenting data, and evaluating records for compliance.

This role is a strong fit for individuals with conventional interests who enjoy organized, detail-oriented tasks. Success in this field requires strong reading comprehension, critical thinking, active listening, and time management skills. Workers must be dependable, cautious, and highly attentive to detail. They rely on knowledge of administrative procedures, the English language, customer service, and computer systems to communicate effectively with supervisors and colleagues while keeping patient information secure.

Entering this field typically requires a postsecondary certificate. This level of preparation aligns with medium vocational training, an associate degree, or relevant work experience. Students preparing for this career often major in health and medical administrative services.

While specific credentials may vary by employer, several professional certifications are available to demonstrate expertise. These include the Certified Coding Associate from the American Health Information Management Association and the Certified Medical Coder from the Practice Management Institute. The American Academy of Professional Coders offers the Certified Outpatient Coding and Certified Professional Coder credentials. Additionally, the American Medical Certification Association provides the Electronic Health Record Certification and the Medical Coder & Biller Certification.

The median annual salary for medical records specialists is $51,140. Earnings can vary significantly based on experience and location, with the lowest 10% of workers earning less than $37,000 and the highest 10% earning more than $81,150.

There are 194,720 people employed in this field. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 7.8%, which is faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is expected to generate 14,000 job openings each year.