Medical Records Specialists Salary in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
The median pay for a medical records specialists in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA is $73,180/year ($35.18/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $104K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 115.61), so that salary is closer to $63,299 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,604/month — about 75.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $73K get you in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
About medical records specialists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
Entry-level medical records specialists (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $73K.Top earners bring in $104K or more - a $57K spread from bottom to top.
Medical Records Specialists pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $65K | +29% | 370 |
| Rhode Island | $63K | +26% | 850 |
| Hawaii | $63K | +25% | 450 |
| Washington | $62K | +24% | 5,280 |
| Nevada | $61K | +20% | 2,980 |
| New York | $60K | +19% | 8,510 |
| California | $60K | +19% | 19,750 |
| Minnesota | $59K | +18% | 3,250 |
| Maryland | $59K | +18% | 2,810 |
| South Carolina | $59K | +16% | 2,940 |
| Connecticut | $58K | +16% | 1,280 |
| Oregon | $57K | +14% | 2,550 |
| Massachusetts | $57K | +14% | 3,450 |
| Alaska | $57K | +13% | 1,360 |
| Wisconsin | $55K | +10% | 3,290 |
Track medical records specialists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do medical records specialists make in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA?
The median is $73,180 a year - that works out to about $35.18 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,840, and experienced medical records specialists can clear $104,410. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $73K enough to live in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,743/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,604/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 76% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a medical records specialists salary go in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont has a Regional Price Parity of 115.61 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median medical records specialists salary is worth about $63,299 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do medical records specialists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.