Clinical Documentation Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Clinical Documentation Specialist make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Documentation Specialist in the United States is $68,947 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

However, a Clinical Documentation Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,355
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,326 to $77,012
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,388
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View as table View as graph 25% $61,326 10% $54,388 90% $84,355 75% $77,012 $68,947 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Clinical Documentation Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $77,012 $6,418 $1,481 $37
Average $68,947 $5,746 $1,326 $33
25th Percentile $61,326 $5,111 $1,179 $29
Check out Clinical Documentation Specialist Job Openings in the United States
Commercial Loan Documentation Specialist

Veterans Sourcing Group - Columbus, OH

Documentation and Reimbursement Specialist

Nationwide Childrens Hospital - Columbus, OH

Inventory Finance Dealer Documentation Specialist

Mitsubishi HC Capital America Inc - Columbus, OH

Clinical Technology Specialist

ForTec Medical - Columbus, OH

Search More Clinical Documentation Specialist Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Clinical Documentation Specialist Salaries

A Clinical Documentation Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

Top Paying Cities for Clinical Documentation Specialists

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $86,963
  • San Francisco: $86,011
  • Oakland: $84,198

What Skills Can Increase a Clinical Documentation Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Initiative (Mentioned in 2.39% Job Postings): Taking decisive action and initiating plans independently to address problems, improve professional life, and achieve goals.
  • Physiology (Mentioned in 4.41% Job Postings): It is the branch of biology that aims to understand the mechanisms of living things, from the basis of cell function at the ionic and molecular level to the integrated behaviour of the whole body and the influence of the external environment.
  • Medical Billing (Mentioned in 1.85% Job Postings): Medical billing is a payment practice within the United States health system. The process involves a healthcare provider submitting, following up on, and appealing claims with health insurance companies in order to receive payment for services rendered; such as testing, treatments, and procedures. The same process is used for most insurance companies, whether they are private companies or government sponsored programs: Medical coding reports what the diagnosis and treatment were, and prices are applied accordingly. Medical billers are encouraged, but not required by law, to become certified by taking an exam such as the CMRS Exam, RHIA Exam, CPB Exam and others. Certification schools are intended to provide a theoretical grounding for students entering the medical billing field. Some community colleges in the United States offer certificates, or even associate degrees, in the field. Those seeking advancement may be cross-trained in medical coding or transcription or auditing, and may earn a bachelor's or graduate degree in medical information science and technology.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Initiative 2.39%
Physiology 4.41%
Medical Billing 1.85%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Clinical Documentation Specialist's salary.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Interviewing: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Insight
$74,463
8%
Interviewing
$73,773
7%
Integrity
$73,084
6%
Collaboration
$72,394
5%
Accountability
$71,705
4%
Clinical Documentation
$71,705
4%
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Clinical Documentation Specialist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Clinical Documentation Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Clinical Documentation Specialist positions in Insurance or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Clinical Documentation Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Clinical Documentation Specialist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$103,421$50.050%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$75,842$36.010%

How Education impacts a Clinical Documentation Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Clinical Documentation Specialists enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Clinical Documentation Specialist with a Associate's Degree is between $58,012 and $62,271).

Clinical Documentation Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Clinical Documentation Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 54.1%
Associates 33.7%
Bachelors 10.8%
Masters 0.9%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Clinical Documentation Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Clinical Documentation Specialist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Clinical Documentation Specialist

Salaries for a Clinical Documentation Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $54,381 in 2023 to around $54,513 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Clinical Documentation Specialist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Clinical Documentation Specialist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$54,381
2024
$54,878
2025
$54,513
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $54,381
2024 $54,878
2025 $54,513
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Clinical Documentation Specialist

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Clinical Documentation Specialist

Here are companies hiring for Clinical Documentation Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Clinical Documentation Specialist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Clinical Documentation Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • INSIGHTEC

    Columbus, OH

    INSIGHTEC | Columbus, OH

    Clinical Applications Specialist. Insightec is a growing medical technology company transforming patient lives through innovative incisionless surgery. Our... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Quipt Home Medical

    Columbus, OH

    Quipt Home Medical | Columbus, OH

    Respiratory Clinical Sales Specialist. If you have compassion and the passion for helping others, then we want you to join our growing team. Quipt Home Med... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Exelare

    Columbus, OH

    Exelare | Columbus, OH

    Clinical Specialist. Medical device manufacturer is looking to fill a "clinical specialist" position. This is not a sales position. This company is highly ... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Abbott

    Columbus, OH

    Abbott | Columbus, OH

    Job Opportunity At Abbott. Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing tec... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Jacobs Management Group

    Columbus, OH

    Jacobs Management Group | Columbus, OH

    Clinical Expert Opportunity. My client is a leader in hemostasis diagnostics, and they are looking for a clinical expert who can bridge the lab and the cus... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Ohio State University

    Columbus, OH

    Ohio State University | Columbus, OH

    Clinical Finance Case Management Specialist 1. The Medication Assistance Program Coordinator (MAPC) functions as an integral member of the health care team... more

    6 Days Ago

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FAQ about Clinical Documentation Specialist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Clinical Documentation Specialist?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Clinical Documentation Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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