How much does a medical records clerk make?

In the US, experienced medical records clerks and those with coding credentials or a specialty may earn more. Pay also differs by employer, location, and schedule: large health systems and clinics can differ, and some hospital jobs include nights or weekends.

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's a typical day like?

At a computer, a clerk checks charts for missing details, enters information, and assigns codes to diagnoses or treatments. They may ask a doctor to clarify a note and protect patient privacy while sending records only to approved staff.

Many US workers enter after high school, often with a community-college or technical-school certificate; some jobs accept a diploma alone. Employers may prefer a coding certification, usually earned by passing an exam, but there is no fixed starting age.

Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)

Good for people who like keeping things organized and figuring things out.

Even though they work in healthcare, medical records specialists do not provide hands-on patient care. They may also act as gatekeepers, letting only approved people see patient files.