Medical Records Specialists Salary in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
The median pay for a medical records specialists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA is $86,960/year ($41.81/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $55K at the entry level to $151K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 110.42), so that salary is closer to $78,754 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,483/month — about 63.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $87K get you in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
About medical records specialists
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
Entry-level medical records specialists (10th percentile) start around $55K. Mid-career wages sit at $87K.Top earners bring in $151K or more - a $96K 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do medical records specialists make in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA?
The median is $86,960 a year - that works out to about $41.81 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $54,620, and experienced medical records specialists can clear $150,600. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $87K enough to live in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,445/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,483/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 64% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara has a Regional Price Parity of 110.42 (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 $78,754 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.