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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Documentation Specialist in Illinois is $80,611 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.
However, a Documentation Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Documentation Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $86,049 | $7,171 | $1,655 | $41 |
| Average | $80,611 | $6,718 | $1,550 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,851 | $5,904 | $1,363 | $34 |
Midway Staffing - Downers Grove, IL
Actalent - Vernon Hills, IL
Endeavor Health - Skokie, IL
Revolution Technologies - Waukegan, IL
A 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Documentation Specialist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| System Do... Level Documentation Specialist | $65,183 |
| Documenta... Level Documentation Specialist | $80,211 |
| System Do... Level Documentation Specialist | $94,050 |
| System Do... Level Documentation Specialist | $118,714 |
| System Do... Level Documentation Specialist | $103,484 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Documentation Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Documentation Specialist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 26% above the average. In contrast, Documentation Specialist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Media typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Documentation Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $101,570 | $49.0 | 26% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $87,866 | $42.0 | 9% |
| Internet | $86,254 | $41.0 | 7% |
| Healthcare | $85,448 | $41.0 | 6% |
| Software & Networking | $85,448 | $41.0 | 6% |
Understanding how a 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $86,049 | $7,171 | $1,655 | $41 |
| Average | $80,611 | $6,718 | $1,550 | $39 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,851 | $5,904 | $1,363 | $34 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Documentation Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Clarity Partners
Chicago, IL
Clarity Partners | Chicago, IL
Clinical Documentation Specialist. Voted one of Chicago's Best Places to Work by the Chicago Tribune for the ninth year in a row, Clarity Partners is hirin... more
5 Days Ago
mindlance
North Chicago, IL
mindlance | North Chicago, IL
Location: Onsite / Hybrid ScheduleContract: 1 year - based on performance and business needsPre-Intake Call Questionnaire1. Position Title: Job Title: Cont... more
7 Days Ago
Staffing the Universe
Great Lakes, IL
Staffing the Universe | Great Lakes, IL
Contract Documentation Specialist IIIPosition Title:Contract Documentation Specialist IIINumber of Positions Needed:1Length of Contract:One year with possi... more
7 Days Ago
Advocate Health Care
Island Lake, IL
Advocate Health Care | Island Lake, IL
Clinical Documentation SpecialistAdvocate Good Shepherd HospitalFull TimeThis is not a remote position, requires 3 days per week in office.Adult Critical C... more
7 Days Ago
Blue Star Partners, LLC
North Chicago, IL
Blue Star Partners, LLC | North Chicago, IL
Job Title: Documentation Specialist &OpenCurlyDoubleQuote. Warehouse Management SystemLocation: Fully Onsite at North ChicagoRate: $24.50 - $26/hrContract ... more
7 Days Ago
Anderson Hospital
Maryville, IL
Anderson Hospital | Maryville, IL
Clinical Documentation And Pi Specialist - Performance Improvement - Ft Days. Salary Range $24.05 - $41.51 Hourly Position Type Full Time (80 Hours) Catego... more
3 Days Ago
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