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Healthcare career
Health Information Technologist
Also called: RHIT · Medical Registrar · Cancer Registrar · Health Data Analyst
What health information technologists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a health information technologist do?
Health information technologists and medical registrars manage patient health records and data, ensuring accuracy, privacy and use for care, billing and research. The median pay is $68,020 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 2 years, and employment is projected to grow +15.9% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$68,020$32.70/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+15.9%2025–35, much faster than average
- Openings per year3,000Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationAssociate's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train2 yearsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs42,000Employment, 2025
What health information technologists do
Health information technologists work with the data behind care. They review records for completeness and accuracy, manage electronic health record systems, analyze data for quality reports, protect privacy, release information legally and, as registrars, track cancer and other disease cases for research and public health.
Most have an associate degree in health information technology and the RHIT credential; registrars may earn the CTR. BLS projects much faster than average growth.
Typical duties
- Review health records for accuracy
- Manage electronic health record systems
- Analyze health data
- Protect patient privacy
- Release information legally
- Abstract registry data
- Support quality reporting
Work environment and schedule
Technologists work in hospitals, clinics, health systems and some remotely.
Schedule: Most work full-time; many roles allow remote or hybrid work.
A day in the life
- Review incomplete charts.
- Process a legal records request.
- Abstract cancer cases for the registry.
- Run a quality report.
See a full day in the life of a health information technologist →
Health Information Technologist salary
Half of health information technologists earned more than $68,020 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $39,830 for the lowest 10% to $117,420 for the top 10%.
Full health information technologist pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a health information technologist
- Take health and computer classes
- Earn an associate degree
- Pass the RHIT exam
- Gain experience
- Advance
An associate degree in health information technology is typical, plus the RHIT credential.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a health information technologist →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Health information management
- EHR systems
- HIPAA and privacy
- Medical terminology
- Data analysis
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Integrity
- Organization
- Communication
All health information technologist skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Much faster-than-average growth
- Remote work options
- Healthcare without patient care
- Two-year path
Cons
- Detail-heavy work
- Screen time
- Strict privacy rules
- Repetitive tasks
Certifications and licenses
- RHIT (AHIMA): Registered Health Information Technician.
- CTR (NCRA): Certified Tumor Registrar.
- RHIA (AHIMA): Registered Health Information Administrator.
- CCS (AHIMA): Certified Coding Specialist.
Career path
- HIM Technician: Process records.
- Registrar or Analyst: Specialize.
- HIM Supervisor: Lead teams.
- HIM Director: Lead departments.
Learn the job before day one
Our Health Information Technologist training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as process a records request and abstract a cancer case, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Health Information Tech vs. Medical Coder · Health Information Tech vs. Medical Transcriptionist · Health Information Tech vs. Health Services Manager · Health Information Tech vs. Medical Admin Assistant
Health Information Technologist FAQ
Do HIM techs work with patients?
Rarely; they manage records and data.
Can they work remotely?
Many roles are remote or hybrid.
Is the field growing?
Yes, BLS projects much faster than average growth.
How much does a health information technologist make?
The median annual wage for health information technologists was $68,020 ($32.70 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $39,830 and the highest 10% earned more than $117,420.
How long does it take to become a health information technologist?
Most people need about 2 years of training. An associate degree in health information technology is typical, plus the RHIT credential.
Do you need a degree to be a health information technologist?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “associate's degree” as the typical entry-level education.
More health information technologist questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 29-9021 (Health information technologists and medical registrars).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Health information technologists and medical registrars (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.