Medical Records Specialist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Medical Records Specialists Make?
Medical Records Specialists earn a median annual salary of $50,250 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $35,780 at the 10th percentile to $80,950 at the 90th percentile — a range of $45,170. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $64,690.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,780 |
| 25th percentile | $41,600 |
| Median (50th) | $50,250 |
| 75th percentile | $64,070 |
| 90th percentile | $80,950 |
Medical Records Specialist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbiatop | $64,690 |
| Rhode Island | $63,330 |
| Hawaii | $62,990 |
| Washington | $62,250 |
| Nevada | $60,530 |
| New York | $59,750 |
| California | $59,700 |
| Minnesota | $59,310 |
| Maryland | $59,140 |
| South Carolina | $58,510 |
| Connecticut | $58,250 |
| Oregon | $57,260 |
| Massachusetts | $57,220 |
| Alaska | $56,740 |
| Colorado | $55,410 |
| Wisconsin | $55,270 |
| North Dakota | $53,550 |
| Wyoming | $53,550 |
| Delaware | $52,020 |
| Virginia | $51,780 |
| Iowa | $51,580 |
| Ohio | $51,420 |
| New Mexico | $50,340 |
| South Dakota | $50,320 |
| Montana | $49,930 |
| New Jersey | $49,910 |
| Arizona | $49,790 |
| Tennessee | $49,740 |
| Illinois | $49,420 |
| Missouri | $49,150 |
| Georgia | $48,990 |
| Maine | $48,990 |
| Idaho | $48,940 |
| Kansas | $48,670 |
| Vermont | $48,610 |
| Oklahoma | $48,590 |
| Nebraska | $48,420 |
| New Hampshire | $48,250 |
| Michigan | $48,220 |
| Kentucky | $48,020 |
| North Carolina | $47,840 |
| Utah | $47,710 |
| Texas | $47,230 |
| Indiana | $47,170 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,730 |
| Florida | $45,990 |
| Louisiana | $43,820 |
| West Virginia | $43,710 |
| Mississippi | $39,970 |
| Arkansas | $39,920 |
| Alabama | $38,540 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Medical Records Specialists
Medical Records Specialist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$35,780 – $41,600 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$50,250 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$64,070 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $80,950+ |
How to Earn More as a Medical Records Specialist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Medical Records Specialists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $86,960 — $36,710 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($64,070) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Medical Records Specialist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Medical Records Specialistthis career | $50,250 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrar | $67,310 |
| Management Analyst | $101,190 |
| Health Informatics Specialist | $103,790 |
| Document Management Specialist | $108,970 |
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SOC: 29-2072.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.