Medical Records Specialists in Washington
Considering working as a Medical Records Specialists in Washington? Here’s what the data says. Compile, process, and maintain medical records of hospital and clinic patients in a manner consistent with medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the healthcare system. Classify medical and healthcare concepts, including diagnosis, procedures, medical services, and equipment, into the healthcare industry’s numerical coding system. Includes medical coders. Excludes “Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars” (29-9021) and “File Clerks” (43-4071).
What do Medical Records Specialists Make in Washington?
For a medical records specialists working in Washington, wages run about $62,250 per year (or roughly $29.93/hour).Earnings range from $44,100 at the 10th percentile to $96,740 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| 25th percentile | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| Median (50th) | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| 75th percentile | $77,840 | $37.42 |
| 90th percentile | $96,740 | $46.51 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Washington nationwide is 1.22, meaning that medical records specialists are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, medical records specialists earn a median of $153,246 per year ($73.68/hour), lower than the Washington median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 343,852 medical records specialists nationwide. In Washington alone, about 5,280 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 2,590 medical records specialists.
Top Washington Metros for Medical Records Specialists
These are the Washington metros with the most medical records specialists in Washington.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 3,210 | $67,790 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 410 | $53,990 |
| Yakima, WA | 180 | $48,420 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 130 | $49,920 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 130 | $50,800 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 120 | $54,640 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 120 | $60,940 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | 110 | $50,240 |
| Bellingham, WA | 70 | $45,470 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | 40 | $58,390 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 30 | $52,940 |
Top States for Medical Records Specialists Employment
These states have the highest employment of medical records specialists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 20,390 |
| California | 19,750 |
| Florida | 15,510 |
| New York | 8,510 |
| Ohio | 8,180 |
| Pennsylvania | 7,220 |
| North Carolina | 5,960 |
| Washington | 5,280 |
| Georgia | 5,280 |
| Illinois | 4,990 |
| Virginia | 4,980 |
| Michigan | 4,720 |
| Kentucky | 4,040 |
| Indiana | 3,840 |
| New Jersey | 3,690 |
| Tennessee | 3,580 |
| Massachusetts | 3,450 |
| Arizona | 3,370 |
| Wisconsin | 3,290 |
| Minnesota | 3,250 |
Highest-Paying States for Medical Records Specialists
Where medical records specialists earn the most: medical records specialists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $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 |
Daily Tasks
Medical Records Specialists typically:
- Assign the patient to diagnosis-related groups (DRGs), using appropriate computer software.
- Compile and maintain patients' medical records to document condition and treatment and to provide data for research or cost control and care improvement efforts.
- Consult classification manuals to locate information about disease processes.
- Enter data, such as demographic characteristics, history and extent of disease, diagnostic procedures, or treatment into computer.
- Identify, compile, abstract, and code patient data, using standard classification systems.
- Maintain or operate a variety of health record indexes or storage and retrieval systems to collect, classify, store, or analyze information.
- Post medical insurance billings.
- Process and prepare business or government forms.
- Process patient admission or discharge documents.
- Protect the security of medical records to ensure that confidentiality is maintained.
- Release information to persons or agencies according to regulations.
- Resolve or clarify codes or diagnoses with conflicting, missing, or unclear information by consulting with doctors or others or by participating in the coding team's regular meetings.
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: eClinicalWorks EHR software, Epic Systems, Henry Schein Dentrix In-demand technologies: Epic Systems
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Health/Medical Admin Services
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to medical records specialists include:
- Management Analysts
- Health Informatics Specialists
- Document Management Specialists
- Physician Assistants
- Registered Nurses
- Clinical Nurse Specialists
Also Known As
Certified Coding Specialist, Certified Medical Coder, Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Clinical Documentation Specialist, Clinical Office Technician (Clinical Office Tech), Coder, Coding Consultant, Coding Specialist, Disability Rater, Electronic Health Records Specialist (EHR Specialist), Fee Coder, Health Informatics Specialist, Health Information Clerk, Health Information Coder, Health Information Management Hospital Coder (HIM Hospital Coder).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-2072.00
HealthcareDegreeSearch.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© HealthcareDegreeSearch.com – All Rights Reserved.