Reference Specialist Salary in the United States

How much does a Reference Specialist make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Reference Specialist in the United States is $43,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $51,555
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $40,697 to $47,712
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,154
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View as table View as graph 25% $40,697 10% $38,154 90% $51,555 75% $47,712 $43,490 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Reference Specialist Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $47,712 $3,976 $918 $23
Average $43,490 $3,624 $836 $21
25th Percentile $40,697 $3,391 $783 $20
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Key Factors That Influence Reference Specialist Salaries

A Reference 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.

How Experience Level Affects Reference Specialist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Reference 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $39,168
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $43,684
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $48,804
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $56,121
  • Expert (over 8 years): $85,790
Levels Salary
Admitting... Level Reference Specialist$39,168
Reference... Level Reference Specialist$43,684
Senior Pa... Level Reference Specialist$48,804
Admitting... Level Reference Specialist$56,121
Admitting... Level Reference Specialist$85,790
$39,168 0 yr
$43,684 < 2 yrs
$48,804 2-4 yrs
$56,121 5-8 yrs
$85,790 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Reference Specialist Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Reference Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $48,152.
  • California: $47,969.
  • Massachusetts: $47,330.

Top Paying Cities for Reference 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: $54,854
  • San Francisco: $54,314
  • Oakland: $53,110

What Skills Can Increase a Reference Specialist's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 10% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • HIPAA (Mentioned in 2.79% Job Postings): The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge.
  • Medical Billing (Mentioned in 1.74% 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
Customer Service 10%
HIPAA 2.79%
Medical Billing 1.74%
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 Reference Specialist's salary.
  • Prospecting: Can increase your salary by up to 29%.
  • Retail Banking: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Community Health: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Prospecting
$56,102
29%
Retail Banking
$46,099
6%
Community Health
$45,664
5%
Collaboration
$45,664
5%
Risk Management
$44,794
3%
Commitment
$44,360
2%
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How Education impacts a Reference Specialist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Reference 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 Reference Specialist with a Associate's Degree is between $42,565 and $44,676).

Reference Specialist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Reference Specialist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 57.5%
High School 57.5%
Associates 21.7%
Bachelors 13.3%
Masters 7.5%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Reference Specialist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Reference 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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Reference Specialist

Salaries for a Reference Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $48,402 in 2023 to around $47,022 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Reference Specialist salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Reference Specialist Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$48,402
2024
$48,178
2025
$47,022
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $48,402
2024 $48,178
2025 $47,022
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Reference Specialist

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

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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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