There are a lot of misconceptions about salaries for health information technology (HIT) professionals. There will be some people that think that the jobs don’t pay very well. While there is some truth to this, those individuals and facilities who have the foresight to hire knowledgeable staff get more bang for their buck and provide superior service due to their staff’s skill set.

If you’re considering entering into the health information technology field, or are currently working in it and are wondering what your salary options could be, you’re in luck. See how well you could fare with a career in this growing and essential area of health care.

Introduction

Health Information Technology Job Titles & Salaries

Health information technology is a fast-growing field. As technology becomes prevalent within healthcare, many organizations are actively looking for health IT professionals. It’s a wide-open field with virtually endless opportunities and job titles.

5 Sample Health IT Job Titles and Salaries

According to the most recent HIMSS U.S. Compensation Survey, the average salary of health IT professionals is $109,610. Of course, salaries vary greatly depending on the work setting, experience and job level. For example, an entry-level position will result in lower pay than an executive-level position.

To better understand the range of salaries, let’s take a look at a sampling of health IT job titles.

• Medical Records Technician: According to Glassdoor, the average base salary for a medical records professional is $33,716 per year. Medical records techs are responsible for ensuring accurate patient medical records.
• Clinical Systems Analyst: The average salary for analysts is $64,616 per year. Systems analysts investigate and fix issues found in electronic medical records.
• Chief Information Officer: As an executive, chief officers receive an average salary of $156,007 per year. These C-level executives typically manage IT departments in healthcare facilities.
• Software Engineer: Software engineers often work for companies that build healthcare tech such as electronic medical records. The average salary for a software engineer is $92,046 per year.
• Coding Auditor: Experienced in coding principles, auditors make sure medical records are accurate. The average salary for a coding auditor is $54,170 per year.

As you can see, salaries differ across the board. There are hundreds of job titles that exist within the healthcare IT space, each with their own requirements.

Is a Health Information Technology Career for You?

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of many patients without being in direct care? Do you love technology? Want to be at the forefront of a new industry? If this sounds like you, health IT might be a great career path for you. 

Plus, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, health IT positions will grow 11% between now and 2028. That’s much faster than the average. Now’s the time to take advantage of the growth.

Conclusion

This may surprise you, but depending on your skill set and experience, you can earn between $50,000 and $100,000 or more as a health information technology professional in today’s job market. It might take a year or two to get up to speed, but that’s time well spent if it ultimately leads to this kind of money.