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.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
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
Medical records specialists typically need a postsecondary certificate to enter the occupation, although some qualify with a high school diploma. Others might need an associate’s or bachelor's degree. Certification may be required or preferred. PayThe median annual wage for medical records specialists was $51,140 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of medical records specialists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 14,000 openings for medical records specialists 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for medical records specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of medical records specialists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about medical records specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
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Pay
The median annual wage for medical records specialists was $51,140 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of medical records specialists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 14,000 openings for medical records specialists 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for medical records specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of medical records specialists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about medical records specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of medical records specialists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 14,000 openings for medical records specialists 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. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for medical records specialists. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of medical records specialists with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about medical records specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Medical records specialists compile, process, and maintain patient files.
Work Environment
Medical records specialists typically spend many hours at a computer. Most work full time.
How to Become a Medical Records Specialist
Medical records specialists typically need a postsecondary certificate to enter the occupation, although some qualify with a high school diploma. Others might need an associate’s or bachelor's degree. Certification may be required or preferred.
Pay
The median annual wage for medical records specialists was $51,140 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of medical records specialists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 14,000 openings for medical records specialists 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for medical records specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of medical records specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about medical records specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Medical records specialists typically spend many hours at a computer. Most work full time.
How to Become a Medical Records Specialist
Medical records specialists typically need a postsecondary certificate to enter the occupation, although some qualify with a high school diploma. Others might need an associate’s or bachelor's degree. Certification may be required or preferred.
Pay
The median annual wage for medical records specialists was $51,140 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of medical records specialists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 14,000 openings for medical records specialists 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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for medical records specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of medical records specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about medical records specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for medical records specialists.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of medical records specialists with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about medical records specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about medical records specialists by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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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.