What Is the Average Health Informatics Specialist Salary?
As the healthcare industry continues to adopt modern technology and data-driven decision-making, health informatics specialists are increasingly in demand. These professionals serve as the bridge between clinical care and information technology (IT), helping healthcare organizations leverage data to improve patient outcomes, streamline operations, and enhance care.
Health informatics specialists use their knowledge of health systems, data management, and technology to design and maintain tools that help healthcare providers make informed decisions. Candidates who are interested in this line of work should familiarize themselves with the key aspects of the role, such as a health informatics specialist’s salary, job responsibilities, and degree options.
What Does a Health Informatics Specialist Do?
Health informatics specialists focus on the collection, analysis, and management of health data, ensuring that information systems are both effective and compliant with regulations. Their work improves how healthcare facilities document patient care, manage medical records, and analyze trends that impact clinical and operational decisions.
Although their responsibilities vary by employer and setting, they typically include the following:
Implementing and maintaining electronic health record (EHR) systems
- Using informatics science to design and implement IT applications
- Analyzing healthcare data to support clinical decision-making
- Ensuring data quality, security, and compliance with privacy laws
- Collaborating with IT teams and healthcare providers to improve workflows
- Training staff on health information systems and technology best practices
- Creating reports and dashboards for administrators and clinicians
- Supporting initiatives related to population health and evidence-based care
- Developing and implementing policies that ensure patient privacy and security
Health informatics specialists often act as problem-solvers, helping institutions troubleshoot issues with clinical software or improve how data is captured and shared across departments.
Work Environments and Industries
Health informatics specialists possess versatile skill sets that are useful in numerous industries, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, insurance, government, and technology. These professionals typically work in office environments, though some may spend time on-site in clinical areas to support system implementation or gather user feedback. Health informatics specialists typically work in:
- Hospitals and health systems
- Clinics and physician practices
- Public health organizations
- Health insurance companies
- Government agencies
- Academic institutions and research centers
- Health IT companies and consulting firms
Because industry and employers greatly influence a health informatics specialist’s salary, candidates should keep it in mind when evaluating potential career paths. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Management of Companies and Enterprises” was the highest-paying industry in 2024.
How to Become a Health Informatics Specialist
Becoming a health informatics specialist requires a strong foundation in healthcare, IT, and data analytics.
Educational Requirements
At a minimum, aspiring health informatics specialists normally need a bachelor’s degree in health information management, computer science, nursing, public health, healthcare administration, or a related field.
Although a bachelor’s degree may be sufficient for some entry-level roles, many employers prefer or require a master’s degree, especially for senior-level roles. A Master of Science (MS) in Health Informatics is the most appropriate degree, as it includes coursework in the following:
- Health informatics management principles
- Design and implementation of health information systems
- Data mining and database system design
- Health informatics compliance
- Security strategies
- Healthcare project management
- Healthcare data visualization
Students who have a master’s degree in IT, computer science, information systems, or a related field should consider continuing education and certification in informatics.
Experience and Skills
Most employers look for candidates with a combination of healthcare experience and technical skills, including the following:
- Data analysis and reporting
- Knowledge of healthcare standards and coding systems
- Project management
- Understanding of clinical terminology and workflows
- Familiarity with EHR systems, such as Epic, Cerner, or Meditech
- Familiarity with data analysis software, such as Tableau or Qlik
Certifications
Most employers don’t require certifications; however, they can help demonstrate expertise in informatics, analytics, health regulations and compliance, and other relevant disciplines. Thus, this can help boost a candidate’s profile with potential employers.
Useful credentials include the following:
- Certified Professional in Healthcare Information and Management Systems (CPHIMS)
- Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA)
- Certified Health Data Analyst (CHDA)
These certifications are especially valuable for candidates pursuing leadership roles or specialized career paths within informatics. Furthermore, earning relevant credentials can positively influence a health informatics specialist’s salary, as most employers consider them a value-add.
Health Informatics Specialist Salary and Job Outlook
A health informatics specialist’s salary can vary based on education, experience, certifications, location, and employer, but the overall job outlook is very favorable.
According to the BLS, health information technologists and medical registrars—a related healthcare IT role—made a median annual salary of $67,310 in May 2024. However, the top 10% of earners made over $112,130.
Payscale reports that the average annual salary for health informatics specialists is $77,400 as of April 2025, with top earners making approximately $134,000.
Regarding job outlook, the future for IT specialists in healthcare looks especially bright. The BLS reports that the role of health information technologists and medical registrars will grow by 16% from 2023 to 2033, four times the growth rate of all other occupations.
Take the First Step Toward a Career in Healthcare Informatics
Healthcare organizations are rapidly adopting technology and relying more on data to strategize, streamline operations, and make informed decisions. With their unique combination of IT skills and healthcare knowledge, health informatics specialists are in demand and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
For professionals looking to break into the health IT field or advance their careers, earning an Executive MS in Health Informatics can be an important step to take. New England College’s graduate program equips students with the technical, analytical, and leadership skills required to succeed in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
Learn more about the program and its curriculum to see how it supports your professional aspirations in healthcare IT.
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