Health Information Technician Career and Salary Outlook

Health information technology is a subdivision of the information technology field that merges healthcare and computer science. Health information technicians collate, interpret, and protect patient data. They manage electronic health records at medical facilities, insurance companies, and government agencies. These professionals typically need at least an associate degree in medical coding, medical transcription, or health information technology.

This guide explores the health information technician career outlook and how average salaries vary across locations, industries, and education levels.

What Does a Health Information Technician Do?

Health information technicians gather, verify, and protect patient health records. Because their careers are at the intersection of medicine and information technology, health information technicians may also collaborate with software development companies to build secure record collection and storage systems.

Health information technicians need knowledge of medical coding, information technology, and healthcare. Their daily duties include reviewing medical records to verify their accuracy and regulatory compliance, processing patient-related information for medical reimbursement, fetching medical data for patients and healthcare workers, and ensuring the security of documents while digitizing them.

To qualify as health information technicians, students need proficiency in software management, communication, and medical terminology, as well as critical thinking and attention to detail.

How Much Can You Earn as a Health Information Technician?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for health information technologists and medical registrars, a career category that includes health information technicians, was $55,560 in 2021. Health information technicians' income depends on education, experience, location, and industry. We examine these factors below.

Health Information Technician Salary by Experience

Experience significantly impacts the earning potential of health information technicians. As with many careers, these professionals typically receive higher salaries as they accrue experience. For example, though entry-level technicians make an average of $31,050 annually, professionals who have spent 5-9 years in the industry earn an average salary of $36,670.

Health Information and Data Science Salary by Education

Health information technicians' educational attainment often influences their earning potential. Entry-level positions requiring only an associate degree often pay lower salaries than administrative roles requiring advanced credentials. Supplementing college education with a bootcamp or a certificate program may increase salaries for health information technicians.

Since this profession involves patient data and medical coding, aspiring health information technicians may consider data science programs. With a bachelor's degree in data science, health technicians earn an average annual salary of $80,000, while professionals with a degree in health informatics make an average salary of $69,000. Workers with master's degrees in information security earn an average of $95,000 annually.

These advanced credentials can also help health information technicians qualify for an array of other careers in related fields.

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Health Information Technician Salary by Location

Factors that affect salary in different regions include cost of living, population density, and the number of available jobs. These features should be considered when comparing health information technology salaries across various cities.

Health information technology workers can usually find employment more easily in larger cities that have a greater number of medical facilities. Regions with a dense population usually have more demand for health information technicians, and this increased demand typically corresponds to higher average salaries.

The following tables indicate the top-paying metropolitan areas and states for health information technicians and medical registrars.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Career Outlook for Health Information Technicians

The BLS projects health information technologist and medical registrar careers will grow 17% between 2021 and 2031 — much faster than the average projected growth for all careers. As companies continue to digitize their operations, demand for professionals with IT skills remains stable.

This 17% projected growth equates to 3,400 annual job openings from 2021 to 2031. Because this industry requires aptitude for both IT and healthcare, health information technicians with electronic data management and software development proficiencies will remain competitive in the job market.

Best Locations for Health Information Technicians

While health information technicians can find job opportunities all over the country, the prospects are better in urban areas. Since this profession is part of the healthcare industry, big cities with a large number of medical facilities tend to have a higher job concentration.

2021 BLS data shows that Florida, California, and Texas are among the top-employing states for health information technicians, while Projections Central data reveals Arizona, Colorado, and Utah are among the states with the greatest projected growth from 2020 to 2030 for medical dosimetrists, medical records specialists, and health technologists and technicians, a broad career category that includes health information technicians.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Source: Projections Central

Career Opportunities for Health Information Technicians

Health information tech professionals who enter the field with associate degrees can earn a bachelor's degree to help them land more advanced roles, such as health information manager. Earning a master's degree in health informatics, health information management, or data science can also qualify workers for leadership roles like chief information officer or medical information specialist.

Completing a certification can also help health information technicians achieve upward mobility. The registered health information technician exam is one of the most common credentials in this field. To qualify for this certification, applicants need an associate degree from a program with accreditation from CAHIIM.

Health Information Technician Salary Questions