Medical Records Clerk Salary Guide

Medical Records Clerks manage patient records and health information: maintaining, organizing, retrieving, and securing medical files, entering data into electronic health record (EHR) systems, ensuring accuracy and compliance with privacy regulations, and supporting clinical and administrative teams.

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What is the average Medical Records Clerk salary?

Entry Level

$30,000 - $40,000

Mid Level

$40,000 - $55,000

Senior Level

$55,000 - $70,000

How does Medical Records Clerk salary grow with experience?

$30,000 - $36,000
0-1
$36,000 - $48,000
2-4
$45,000 - $60,000
5-9
$55,000 - $70,000++
10+
Base (min)
Top of range (max)
Max: $70k

Medical Records Clerk salary by location

New York, NY$40,000 - $70,000
San Francisco, CA (Bay Area)$42,000 - $75,000
Chicago, IL$36,000 - $62,000
Houston, TX$33,000 - $58,000
Seattle, WA$38,000 - $66,000
Base (min)
Top of range (max)

What factors affect a Medical Records Clerk's salary?

  • Geographic location and local cost of living
  • Certifications and credentials (e.g., RHIT, CCA)
  • Experience level and supervisory responsibilities
  • Type and size of employer (hospital, outpatient clinic, health system)
  • Technical skills (EHR proficiency, coding/ICD knowledge, data management)

How to compare Medical Records Clerk pay figures

The generated ranges in this guide have not been independently source-verified. Check the underlying occupation, location and data period before using a range as a market benchmark. Keep the original source alongside any figure you save. A page updated recently can still contain wages measured in an earlier year, and a broad occupational category may cover several different job titles.

Compare the work as well as the title

Read a vacancy's responsibilities, required experience, working hours and location before placing it beside another role. Two positions called Medical Records Clerk can have different scope. Record the duties you would own, the team or customers you would support, and any supervisory expectations. Use those details to decide whether a comparison is relevant instead of assuming that a matching title means matching pay.

Keep compensation definitions consistent

Confirm the currency and whether a figure is hourly, monthly or annual. Check the paid hours before converting between periods. Separate guaranteed base pay from bonuses, commissions, overtime, equity and benefits. Ask which parts are guaranteed and which depend on targets, company results or vesting conditions. Compare the same components across offers; a total-compensation figure and a base-salary figure answer different questions.

Identify the statistic too. A median divides the measured workforce into two equal halves. A percentile describes a point in that distribution; it does not automatically describe an entry-level or senior employee. Do not turn national survey percentiles into a personal experience-based pay prediction. Use local, role-relevant evidence when it is available and record any mismatch in coverage.

Build a comparison you can check later

For each job listing, survey or offer, save the role, responsibilities, location, currency, pay period, compensation components, source link and date checked. Mark missing information as unknown. Keep the employer's stated range separate from any expectation you calculate yourself. If the figures differ, first check their definitions and scope rather than averaging incompatible numbers into a new estimate.

When discussing an offer, prepare clear examples of the responsibilities and results you can support with your experience. Ask the recruiter about the role's level, the approved range and how the package is structured. Keep those answers with your comparison so you can assess the offer using confirmed information. This guide gives you questions to investigate; the employer's written terms establish the actual package being offered.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Records Clerk Salaries

What is the average salary for a Medical Records Clerk in the U.S.?

The average U.S. salary for a Medical Records Clerk ranges from about $34,000 to $55,000 annually, with entry-level roles near $30k–$40k and experienced clerks earning $50k–$70k depending on location and responsibilities.

Which factors most influence Medical Records Clerk pay?

Key factors are geographic location, level of experience, certifications (e.g., RHIT, CCA), employer type (hospital vs. clinic), and technical skills like EHR systems and coding knowledge.

Do Medical Records Clerks need certifications to earn more?

Certifications such as Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) or Certified Coding Associate (CCA) can increase pay potential by demonstrating specialized knowledge and may lead to higher-paying roles.

How much can I expect to earn with 5–9 years of experience?

With 5–9 years of experience, Medical Records Clerks typically earn between $45,000 and $60,000 annually, depending on location and added responsibilities.

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