Medical Records Specialist salary in Columbia, SC
Medical Records Specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $62,650 a year ($30.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 640 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,570 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $51,140. Pay here is 15% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $54,280. There are 1.6 medical records specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,900, close to the median.
Pay range for medical records specialists in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| 25th percentile | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Median | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| 75th percentile | $62,650 | $30.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,570 | $34.41 |
| Average (mean) | $56,900 | $27.36 |
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 | $5,220.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,610.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,409.62 |
| Weekly | $1,204.81 |
| Hourly | $30.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,650 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Records Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $61,950 | 460 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $61,520 | 100 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $53,830 | 410 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $53,040 | 530 |
| Florence, SC | $51,870 | 140 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $51,260 | 180 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $51,110 | 1,450 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $48,380 | 90 |
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 |
See Medical Records Specialist pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,110 | $29.86 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $42,290 | $20.33 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,080 | $35.62 |
| Paramedic | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| Surgical Technologist | $61,230 | $29.44 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $84,440 | $40.60 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Dietetic Technician | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $65,590 | $31.54 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for medical records specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area is $62,650 a year, or $30.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical records specialists make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of medical records specialists in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $71,570 a year. The top 25% earn $62,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical records specialists in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,090 a year, and a quarter of medical records specialists earn $49,050 or less.
How many medical records specialists work in Columbia, SC?
About 640 medical records specialists are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.