Medical Records Specialist salary in California
Medical Records Specialists in California earn a median of $61,810 a year ($29.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 18,700 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,470 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $51,140. California ranks 5th of 51 states for medical records specialists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.0 medical records specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical records specialists in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,800 | $21.06 |
| 25th percentile | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| Median | $61,810 | $29.71 |
| 75th percentile | $80,630 | $38.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,470 | $49.27 |
| Average (mean) | $68,230 | $32.80 |
Half of medical records specialists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,150.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,575.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,377.31 |
| Weekly | $1,188.65 |
| Hourly | $29.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Records Specialist salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $86,890 | 920 |
| Vallejo, CA | $82,230 | 130 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $75,150 | 1,340 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $74,400 | 1,880 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $62,950 | 280 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $61,950 | 210 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $61,670 | 170 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $61,480 | 1,600 |
| El Centro, CA | $60,850 | 60 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $60,580 | 100 |
| Redding, CA | $59,630 | 120 |
| Visalia, CA | $59,420 | 200 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $59,110 | 7,240 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $58,830 | 1,350 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $58,680 | 60 |
| Napa, CA | $58,670 | 60 |
| Fresno, CA | $58,400 | 430 |
| Merced, CA | $58,060 | 70 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $57,970 | 290 |
| Salinas, CA | $57,880 | 190 |
| Chico, CA | $57,490 | 120 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $55,270 | 310 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $53,870 | 70 |
| Yuba City, CA | $50,560 | 60 |
| Modesto, CA | $48,240 | 210 |
Highest-paying states for medical records specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $72,040 |
| Rhode Island | $63,960 |
| Hawaii | $63,180 |
| Washington | $62,270 |
| California | $61,810 |
| New York | $61,720 |
| Minnesota | $61,530 |
| Alaska | $61,090 |
| Connecticut | $60,940 |
| Massachusetts | $60,350 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $38.34 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $55,110 | $26.50 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $121,260 | $58.30 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $49,140 | $23.62 |
| Surgical Technologist | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $128,530 | $61.79 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Dietetic Technician | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,170 | $37.58 |
| Paramedic | $74,590 | $35.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2072. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical records specialist make in California?
The median salary for medical records specialists in California is $61,810 a year, or $29.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical records specialists make in California?
The top 10% of medical records specialists in California earn at least $102,470 a year. The top 25% earn $80,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical records specialists in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,800 a year, and a quarter of medical records specialists earn $49,000 or less.
How many medical records specialists work in California?
About 18,700 medical records specialists are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.