Where AI can help
AI can suggest codes or extract information from documents.
Health · A PICTURE OF THE OCCUPATION
Medical Records Specialists
Organize and code health information to keep records complete and usable. This is an administrative information role, distinct from clinical care.
Observed AI exposure66.7%Anthropic · March 2026 study
Employment projection+7.8%2025–2035
Education typically neededPostsecondary nondegree awardBLS · 2025
What the work looks like
- 01
Protect the security of medical records to ensure that confidentiality is maintained.
- 02
Review records for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with regulations.
- 03
Scan patients' health records into electronic formats.
- 04
Release information to persons or agencies according to regulations.
- 05
Enter data, such as demographic characteristics, history and extent of disease, diagnostic procedures, or treatment into computer.
An example of an output
A reviewed record set with documentation and coding issues identified.
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.Work environment
Hospitals, clinics and record services. Information access and use depend on local policies and rules.
O*NET® 31.0 ↗Pay & demand
Mean annual pay$56,790
Median annual pay$51,140
Mean is the arithmetic average; median is the midpoint of the wage distribution. National occupational figures are not starting-salary promises.
10th percentile$37,000
90th percentile$81,150
Percentiles describe the workforce distribution, not junior and senior salary bands. Excludes self-employed workers; see the source for coverage.
BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗People employed in 2025200,700
Projected openings per year14,000
Includes replacement needs over 2025–2035. These are projections, not open job advertisements.
BLS · 2025–2035 ↗AI & your work
What still needs judgment
Clinical and administrative inconsistencies, permissions and incomplete records require checking.
The task discussion is editorial interpretation. Only the exposure percentage is reproduced from the study; we do not assign percentages to individual tasks.
Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗You can also develop within this occupation
Use the exercise below to practice a real task, check AI outputs and identify where you need more depth. A career change is one option, not a requirement.
Use fictional data to create a completeness checklist. Do not use real patient records for a public exercise.
What entry usually requires
- Education typically needed
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Related experience typically needed
- None specified in BLS classification
- Typical on-the-job training
- None specified in BLS classification
Typical requirements in BLS data, not universal hiring rules. Verify the employer’s requirements and any applicable credential or license.
BLS · 2025 ↗Skills to build on
Attention to detailmedical terminologyclassificationconfidentiality
Tools you may encounter
Electronic health records · coding systems · spreadsheets
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.
Where you could go next
These are researched starting points, not personalized recommendations or promises of lower AI exposure. Check the destination’s requirements and your own circumstances.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$74,970 Mean annual pay
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars ↗
Extends record knowledge to analysis and improvement of health systems.
- What you can carry over
- Terminology and record quality
- What you would need to learn
- Databases and indicator analysis
What to consider
Typical preparation is higher; duties and certifications vary by institution.
Explore the work before committing
1
Try a practical task
Use fictional data to create a completeness checklist. Do not use real patient records for a public exercise.
2
Read real job requirements
Use the official occupation title below to search current listings. Check duties, location, experience and compensation. External search results have not been verified as active by this directory.
Medical Records SpecialistsSearch external job listings ↗3
Check your assumptions with someone doing the work
Ask which tasks take the most time, how AI changed the routine and what evidence of skill helped them enter. Compare their experience with the published data.
My Next Move ↗Sources & data notes
O*NET® 31.0 · 29-2072.00 ↗BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗BLS · 2025–2035 ↗Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗Source & definition ↗
Occupational descriptions adapt the O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. Is my job toast? translated, shortened and supplemented the material. USDOL/ETA has not approved or endorsed these changes. CC BY 4.0 ↗