How Much Does a Medical Records Technician Make? (2025)
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that medical records specialist, including medical records technician, jobs in the US will see a significant 9% growth in employment opportunities from 2023 to 2033. This figure is faster than average and corresponds to an estimated 15,000 job postings yearly for medical records technicians.
According to Salary.com, the average yearly salary for medical records technicians in the United States for July 10, 2025, is $33,690. This salary guide provides a comprehensive overview of medical records technician salary, important skills, FAQs, and job expectations.
What Does a Medical Records Technician Do?
A medical records technician systematizes, archives, and retrieves patient's medical record and patient files. They execute data input and administrative duties while maintaining confidentiality, security, and adherence to legal requirements. The profession also facilitates information inquiries and oversees record storage, retrieval, and statistical reports. Medical records technicians work in different industries such as the following:
- Management of companies and enterprises
- Hospitals; state, local, and private (healthcare facilities)
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
- Administrative and support services
- Offices of physicians
According to BLS, for some employers, finishing a degree in high school or equivalent and experience in health information management settings are sufficient qualifications. However, others may necessitate a postsecondary certificate or an associate or bachelor's degree.
What is the Medical Records Technician Salary Overview?
The average salary for medical records technicians in the United States on July 10, 2025, is $33,690 per year according to Salary.com. A medical records technician’s salary ranges from $27,194 to $39,421 per year, with most earning between $30,290 and $36,690. The average salary per month is $2,808.
Medical records technicians typically earn an average of $16 per hour, with hourly rates ranging from $15 to $18. Moreover, the average salary for medical records technicians per week is $648, with weekly pay ranging from $523 to $758.
2025 Medical Records Technician Salary: $33,690 ($16 per hour)
Meanwhile, the median core compensation for a medical records technician is $41,390 per year, including salary and bonuses, and varies depending on the percentile.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $33,557 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,290 |
| 50th Percentile | $41,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,390 |
| 90th Percentile | $50,942 |
On the other hand, the average total compensation for medical records technicians in the US is $60,259 according to Salary.com report. The total compensation package includes benefits like healthcare ($6,056), time off ($5,094), and social security ($3,166) which make up 23.8% of the total compensation.
| Core Compensation | ||
|---|---|---|
| Median | % of Total | |
| Base Salary | $33,690 | 55.9% |
| Bonus | $7,700 | 12.8% |
| Value of Benefits | ||
| Social Security | $3,166 | 5.3% |
| 401K/403B | $1,945 | 3.2% |
| Disability | $331 | 0.5% |
| Healthcare | $6,056 | 10.0% |
| Pension | $2,276 | 3.8% |
| Time Off | $5,094 | 8.5% |
| Total Compensation | $60,259 | 100% |
What Can Affect a Medical Records Technician’s Salary?
Various factors such as experience level, geographic location, education, knowledge, and skills can significantly influence the salary of medical records technicians. Below is a breakdown of key salary components:
By Experience Level
Salary.com data shows that entry-level medical records technicians with less than one year of experience earn an average salary of $32,827. In contrast, experienced medical records technicians working for eight or more years, considered expert-level professionals, can expect to earn an average salary of $36,153.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Medical Records Technician | $32,827 |
| Intermediate Level Medical Records Technician | $33,914 |
| Senior Level Medical Records Technician | $35,750 |
| Specialist Level Medical Records Technician | $36,018 |
| Expert Level Medical Records Technician | $36,153 |
By Geographic Location
Salary for medical records technicians in the United States vary by geographic location due to key factors like cost of living, the local economy, and industry presence.
Among the hot cities in the United States, San Francisco reports the highest median salary at $42,090 while Dallas and Miami reflect lower median salaries at $33,290 and $32,390, respectively.
| Cities | 25th Percentile | 50th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, California | $37,890 | $42,090 | $45,890 |
| Washington, District of Columbia | $33,590 | $37,290 | $40,690 |
| Miami, Florida | $29,090 | $32,390 | $35,290 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $31,290 | $34,790 | $37,990 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $33,790 | $37,590 | $40,990 |
| New York, New York | $35,090 | $39,090 | $42,590 |
| Dallas, Texas | $29,890 | $33,290 | $36,290 |
By Skills
Gaining sought-after skills is an effective way to increase medical records technician salaries and unlock more career opportunities. The Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report indicates that the most in-demand medical records technician skills are customer satisfaction and medical terminology with 31.80% and 27.58%, respectively.
Meanwhile, essential skills such as data analysis, accuracy, and compliance can increase medical records technician salaries by 7.25% and 5.36%. The table below includes more in-demand skills for medical records technicians and their respective influence on their salary:
| Skills | Demand (%) | Salary (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Industry | 16.69% | +7.25% |
| Health Information Documentation | 10.69% | +5.36% |
| Billing | 13.61% | +4.68% |
| Patient Care | 12.67% | +4.13% |
| Medical Information Coding | 4.27% | +3.85% |
| Customer Satisfaction | 31.80% | +3.45% |
How to Become a Medical Records Technician?
Medical records technicians generally require certification or a postsecondary credential for getting into the profession, while some may qualify with only a high school diploma. Some individuals may require an associate degree. Certification may be mandatory or recommended. To pursue a career as a medical records technician, concentrate on developing the following key areas:
- Earn necessary certificates: According to BLS, employers may favor hiring medical records specialists, including medical records technicians, with certification, or they may anticipate that applicants will obtain certification immediately after employment. For instance, certain medical records specialists obtain the Registered Health Information Administrator or Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification.
- Gain in-demand skills: Acquiring experience as a medical records technician cultivates sought-after competencies that are highly valued in the healthcare industry. Developing these talents renders you more competitive and enables potential for higher-paying positions or salary increments. Salary.com data reports that in-demand skills in this job title are customer satisfaction and health information concepts and terminology at 31.80% and 27.58%, respectively.
- Get experience: After learning in-demand skills, it is also essential to acquire experience in the field of medical record technician. Salary.com data indicates that entry level medical records technicians earn an average of $32,827 compared to those with eight years of experience earning an average of $36,153.
Furthermore, technicians should stay updated with training, procedures, systems, and resources used in the field to ensure review, complete, and manage patient information efficiently and securely. They should also ensure access to records is controlled and compliant with privacy standards, especially when handling older age groups who may have more extensive histories.
What are the FAQs about Medical Records Technicians?
Here are some common questions about the medical records technician salary:
What is the highest salary for a medical records technician?
Medical records technicians in hot cities in the United States typically earn more than those working in other locations. For instance, a medical records technician based in San Francisco, California earns an average yearly salary of $42,490 according to Salary.com.
Do you need a degree to be a medical records technician?
According to BLS, a high school diploma or equivalent along with work experience in the healthcare sector are sufficient to qualify. However, other industries may necessitate a postsecondary certification or an associate or bachelor's degree.
Do medical records technicians get paid well?
Yes, Salary.com data shows that an average medical records technician earns $33,690 per year and that is $16 per hour. However, Salaries may vary depending on experience, location (individual cities or states), industry, and employer. For example, entry-level medical records technicians can earn $32,827, while expert technicians earn $36,153.
Is there a high demand for medical records technicians?
Yes, there is a high demand for skilled medical records technicians. In fact, BLS projected employment for this job title to grow by 9% from 2023 to 2033. Those with skills in customer satisfaction and health information concepts and terminology have a high demand of about 31.80% and 27.58%, respectively.
