Career comparison
Health Information Technologist vs. Medical and Health Services Manager
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Medical and health services managers earn more at the median ($123,860 vs. $68,020), while health information technologists usually get to work faster (2 years of training). Health information technologists manage the health data that keeps patient records accurate and useful. Medical and health services managers run hospital departments, clinics and practices so patients get good care.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Health Information Technologist | Medical and Health Services Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $68,020 ($32.70/hr) | $123,860 ($59.55/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $39,830 – $117,420 | $73,390 – $224,340 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +15.9% (much faster than average) | +24.2% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 3,000 | 62,300 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 2 years | 4–6 years plus experience |
| Key credential | RHIT (AHIMA) | Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) |
| Work setting | Technologists work in hospitals, clinics, health systems and some remotely.. | Managers work in offices inside hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and health systems, with time on patient units and in meetings.. |
What each job does
Health Information Technologist
- Review health records for accuracy
- Manage electronic health record systems
- Analyze health data
- Protect patient privacy
- Release information legally
Medical and Health Services Manager
- Manage department or facility budgets
- Hire, schedule and supervise staff
- Keep the organization compliant with regulations
- Improve quality, safety and patient experience
- Oversee billing, coding and records
How they’re similar
Both careers involve desk work and in-demand. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose health information technologist if…
- I like healthcare without patient care
- I’m detail-oriented
- I like data and computers
Choose medical and health services manager if…
- I want to lead in healthcare
- I like budgets and data
- I can handle pressure
Still torn? Take the Health Information Technologist fit quiz and the Medical and Health Services Manager fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, health information technologist or medical and health services manager?
Medical and Health Services Managers earn more at the median: $123,860 versus $68,020 for health information technologists, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Health Information Technologists typically train faster (2 years) than medical and health services managers (4–6 years plus experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects medical and health services managers to grow +24.2% from 2025–35, compared with +15.9% for health information technologists.