Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Health Information Technologist or Medical Registrar Health information technologists and medical registrars typically need at least an associate's degree.
Education
requirements for health information technologists and medical registrars vary. Some workers typically need an associate’s degree; others may need a bachelor’s or higher degree. Certification may be required or preferred. Education Health information technologists and medical registrars typically need at least an associate’s degree to enter the occupation. Some positions require a bachelor’s or master’s degree. High school students interested in becoming a health information technologist or medical registrar may benefit from taking classes that include anatomy and physiology, biology, computer science, and math. A degree may be in health information management or another healthcare and related field or in nonmedical subjects, such as computer and information technology. Programs may include courses in medical terminology, health data requirements, medical ethics, and classification and coding systems.
Licenses, Certifications & Registrations
Employers may prefer to hire health information technologists and medical registrars who have certification, or they may expect applicants to earn certification after being hired. Credentials for a variety of specializations are available from professional organizations. Individuals may hold multiple certifications. Certification often requires completion of a formal education program and experience, along with passing an exam. Information on certifications is available from CareerOneStop. Advancement Health information technologists and medical registrars sometimes advance to become medical and health services managers. Employers may require that workers seeking to advance have a higher level certification or a bachelor’s or master’s degree in health information management or a related field.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of health information technologists and medical registrars is projected to grow 16 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 3,000 openings for health information technologists and medical registrars are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment The volume of electronic health information generated by healthcare providers and patients continues to grow. As a result, more health information technologists will be needed to analyze these vast quantities of data and offer insight to help make informed decisions. Similarly, the increasing availability of medical data will contribute to more demand for medical registrars to update clinical registries, abstract relevant details, and convert data into meaningful information. Organizations will continue to rely on these workers for insight into improving the quality of care, to control costs, and for other purposes. Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Health information technologists and medical registrars 16% Other healthcare practitioners and technical occupations 10% Total, all occupations 3% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars Do
Health information technologists and medical registrars advise organizations on computerized healthcare systems and analyze clinical data.
Duties
Health information technologists and medical registrars typically do the following:
- Help to determine requirements for computerized healthcare systems
- Evaluate and support implementation of health information systems
- Organize and update information in clinical databases or registries
- Compile data and generate reports, such as for disease registry or treatment
- Track patient outcomes for quality assessment
- Validate the integrity of patient data
- Ensure privacy, security, and confidentiality of patients' health information
Health information technologists and medical registrars help to design and develop electronic healthcare systems. They abstract, collect, and analyze clinical data related to medical treatment, followup, and results. Their work supports the delivery and improvement of patient care.
Health information technologists apply their knowledge of information technology (IT) and healthcare concepts in a variety of ways. Some specialize in the electronic health records systems used for storing and retrieving patient data, which may include implementing the systems and educating staff on their use. Others analyze healthcare data for a range of purposes, such as for research or to evaluate programs and services.
Medical registrars create and maintain databases of information, such as those used to track a particular disease or condition. For example, cancer registrars collect and analyze information for facility, regional, and national databases of cancer patients. They review patients’ records and pathology reports to verify completeness and accuracy; assign classification codes to represent the diagnosis and treatment of cancers and benign tumors; and track treatment, survival, and recovery.
For information about workers who compile, process, and maintain patient files, see the profile for medical records specialists.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Health information technologists and medical registrars held about 42,000 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of health information technologists and medical registrars were as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 46% |
| Offices of physicians | 10 |
| Management of companies and enterprises | 6 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 5 |
| Administrative and support services | 4 |
Health information technologists and medical registrars usually work in an office setting and may spend many hours at a computer.
Work Schedules
Most health information technologists and medical registrars work full time.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Analytical skills. Health information technologists and medical registrars must be able to interpret data and use their findings to suggest improvements. Detail oriented. To ensure accuracy, health information technologists and medical registrars need to be precise when working with clinical data. Integrity. Health information technologists and medical registrars must exercise discretion and act ethically when working with patient data to protect patient confidentiality, as required by law. Interpersonal skills. Health information technologists and medical registrars must collaborate with other members of the healthcare team. Problem-solving skills. These workers must be able to identify and address issues related to the use of healthcare information systems.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about health information technologists and medical registrars by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Explore pathway →Hear From ED
Use the guided career counseling experience to connect this career to your goals, skills and education preferences.
Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.