Medical Records Specialist salary in Illinois
Medical Records Specialists in Illinois earn a median of $56,440 a year ($27.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,520 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $51,140. Illinois ranks 16th of 51 states for medical records specialists pay. There are 0.94 medical records specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $57,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical records specialists in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| 25th percentile | $46,290 | $22.25 |
| Median | $56,440 | $27.14 |
| 75th percentile | $64,360 | $30.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,520 | $37.27 |
| Average (mean) | $57,160 | $27.48 |
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 | $4,703.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,351.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,170.77 |
| Weekly | $1,085.38 |
| Hourly | $27.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,440 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Records Specialist salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $57,970 | 4,510 |
| Kankakee, IL | $56,450 | 40 |
| Springfield, IL | $55,800 | 120 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $51,260 | 1,410 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $51,090 | 70 |
| Decatur, IL | $50,070 | 30 |
| Peoria, IL | $49,860 | 230 |
| Rockford, IL | $49,770 | 120 |
| Bloomington, IL | $47,710 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $45,960 | 70 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $45,930 | 80 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $45,560 | 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 Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,650 | $22.43 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $71,950 | $34.59 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $46,200 | $22.21 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $79,930 | $38.43 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,930 | $24.00 |
| Paramedic | $60,660 | $29.16 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 | $31.08 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $100,660 | $48.40 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $47,100 | $22.64 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $43,960 | $21.14 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $95,380 | $45.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for medical records specialists in Illinois is $56,440 a year, or $27.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical records specialists make in Illinois?
The top 10% of medical records specialists in Illinois earn at least $77,520 a year. The top 25% earn $64,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical records specialists in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,890 a year, and a quarter of medical records specialists earn $46,290 or less.
How many medical records specialists work in Illinois?
About 5,740 medical records specialists are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.