What Are The Highest-Paying Jobs In Health Informatics? - NurseJournal.org (2024)

What Are The Highest-Paying Jobs In Health Informatics? - NurseJournal.org (1)

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Updated June 19, 2024

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  • Health Informatics Jobs Overview
  • Top-Paying Undergraduate Jobs
  • Top-Paying Graduate Jobs
  • FAQ

Health informatics is a growing field, driven by the increasing use of technology. Learn about the highest-paying undergraduate and graduate health informatics jobs.

What Are The Highest-Paying Jobs In Health Informatics? - NurseJournal.org (2)

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Health informatics is a multidisciplinary field that uses information technology to improve healthcare. Informatics specialists, or informaticists, analyze data to identify trends and optimize resources.

The demand for skilled health informatics professionals continues to grow as healthcare increasingly relies on data and technology.

Health informatics professionals play a crucial role in fostering innovation that can ultimately lead to greater efficiency, effectiveness, and personalized healthcare. On this page, you’ll discover some of the highest-paying jobs in health informatics, including career trends and outlooks, regardless of whether you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the field.

Popular Online Master’s in Health Informatics Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Health Informatics Jobs Overview

Health informatics involves managing and analyzing data from electronic health records (EHR) systems to support clinical decision-making at the point of care using health data.

The health informatics field includes broad job titles such as:

  • Health Informatics Specialists: Develop and implement health information systems
  • Data Analysts: Analyze healthcare data to identify trends and improve outcomes
  • Computer and Information Research Scientists: Solve complex healthcare computing problems

Nursing informatics is a specialized branch that integrates nursing science with information technology solutions to influence nursing practice and patient care outcomes.

The field is experiencing growth due to healthcare employers increasingly adopting digital health solutions. There’s a high demand for skilled professionals and salaries are competitive, with advanced positions commanding higher pay because of the specialized skills required. While undergraduate positions in health informatics offer entry-level opportunities, graduate-level positions tend to offer higher salaries, greater responsibilities, and an increased opportunity for advancement.

The Highest-Paying Undergraduate Health Informatics Jobs

Health informatics professionals earn average salaries ranging from $76,000-$100,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

As in many other professions, health informatics salaries are influenced by geographical location, experience, and work setting. Note that some employers may prefer graduate-level degrees for the following positions.

Highest-Paying Undergraduate Health Informatics Jobs
RankCareerAverage Annual Salary
1Health IT Project Manager$100,984
2Informatics Nurse$84,433
3Clinical Informatics Specialist$83,132
4Health Information Management Director$79,720
5Health Informatics Specialist$76,288

1 | Health IT Project Manager

A health IT project manager oversees technology projects in a healthcare setting. The IT project manager plans, executes, and closes projects while managing teams and coordinating with stakeholders. These professionals must have expertise in both healthcare and IT, along with strong leadership and problem-solving skills. They play a vital role in implementing important systems like EHRs and telemedicine to improve care delivery and patient outcomes.

Average Annual Salary: $100,984

2 | Informatics Nurse

Informatics nurses combine their expertise in IT and patient care to help hospitals and other facilities optimize EHRs, data, and important software applications. They may help develop and implement systems and train other users on how to best use data and technology in the workplace.

Average Annual Salary: $84,433

3 | Clinical Informatics Specialist

Clinical informatics specialists work with data produced by healthcare facilities, including data collected by EHRs, imaging databases, and other sources. In smaller practices, the clinical informatics specialist is more of an IT generalist, establishing systems and policies while assisting staff and other users with data entry and evaluation. Many clinical informatics specialists have patient care backgrounds.

Average Annual Salary: $83,132

4 | Health Information Management Director

The health information management or HIM director typically leads the medical coding and records departments. This includes both overseeing operations and collaborating with other stakeholders including top executives to determine needs and strategy. Depending on the size of the facility, the HIM director could manage a handful of people or a large number of employees. Along with a bachelor’s degree, this position often requires experience with medical coding or records.

Average Annual Salary: $79,720

5 | Health Informatics Specialist

The health informatics specialist helps develop IT applications, processes, and other tools that help care providers use healthcare data more effectively. They typically work in healthcare facilities and systems to establish and maintain the organization’s information technology systems.

Average Annual Salary: $76,288

The Highest-Paying Graduate Health Informatics Jobs

Graduate-level health informatics jobs leverage advanced expertise in technology and healthcare to improve patient care, data management, and operational efficiency. These professionals oversee health information systems and ensure the security and integrity of medical data. A growing reliance on digital solutions has increased the demand for skilled health informatics professionals.For these positions, a master’s degree is either required or strongly preferred by employers.

Highest-Paying Graduate Health Informatics Jobs
RankCareerAverage Annual Salary
1Chief Information Officer$175,655
2Computer and Information Scientist$110,028
3Clinical Informatics Manager$105,664
4Bioinformatics Scientist$101,408
5Information Systems Manager$92,580

1 | Chief Information Officer

While this is a figure for all CIOs, there is evidence that averages may be higher for chief information officers (CIO) in a healthcare context. In fact, one report placed the average health system CIO salary at around $460,000. As with many other positions in healthcare, the size of the employer often plays a role in CIO salaries.

It only makes sense that graduate-level training in health informatics would be a cornerstone of many healthcare CIO resumes. In this role, healthcare CIOs serve on the executive team, overseeing technology operations and making key decisions regarding IT strategy, personnel, and resources.

Average Annual Salary: $175,655

2 | Computer and Information Scientist

Healthcare computer and information research scientists develop innovative technological solutions that improve healthcare delivery. They conduct research that ultimately leads to better systems and methods of addressing complex challenges. Many of today’s computer and information scientists use artificial intelligence to design personalized care plans and improve data analysis. These professionals collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure technology meets clinical needs.

Average Annual Salary: $110,028

3 | Clinical Informatics Manager

Think of the clinical informatics manager as the connection point between the IT department and the healthcare operation. These professionals collect and interpret healthcare data and share the findings with providers to improve patient care. Clinical informatics managers focus on helping to monitor, maintain, and improve safety.

Average Annual Salary: $105,664

4 | Bioinformatics Scientist

A bioinformatics scientist applies computational techniques to analyzing and interpreting medical data. They use software to analyze genomic data and clinical trial results, which ultimately helps personalize medicine through tools like predictive modeling. By collaborating with clinicians, researchers, and IT professionals, they help to translate complex data into actionable medical functions.

Average Annual Salary: $101,408

5 | Information Systems Manager

A healthcare information systems manager ensures that the technological infrastructure—including EHRs, databases, and networks—is operating securely and seamlessly. They work closely with the IT department to implement new technologies that improve patient care and streamline administrative operations. Importantly, healthcare information systems managers must ensure compliance with healthcare regulations and protect sensitive patient data.

Average Annual Salary: $92,580

Frequently Asked Questions About Health Informatics Jobs

Yes, there is a growing demand for health informatics professionals. The field has a high earning potential and significantly affects healthcare quality. Professionals in this field can receive opportunities that allow them to innovate, improve patient outcomes, and be employed in diverse work settings.

A health informaticist is typically responsible for managing and analyzing health data to improve patient care and operational efficiency. They may develop electronic health record systems and ensure data integrity and security to optimize patient outcomes.

A healthcare chief information officer makes an average of about $176,000 per year according to Payscale. Other six-figure positions in health informatics include healthcare computer and information scientist, clinical informatics manager, and bioinformatics scientist. However, salary is influenced by geographical location, experience, work setting, organizational structure, and additional certifications.

An example of using informatics in a healthcare system is the electronic health record (EHR). The EHR allows healthcare providers such as nurses, physicians, and therapists to record, store, and access information digitally. This improves communication and coordination and reduces errors. The goal of an EHR is to improve patient outcomes using real-time data that’s shared with healthcare professionals.

What Are The Highest-Paying Jobs In Health Informatics? - NurseJournal.org (4)

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What Are the Most In-Demand Jobs in Health Science?Interested in a career in health science? Discover the most in-demand health science jobs, along with salary figures and education requirements.Feb 22, 2024Nursing Informatics Career OverviewA career in nursing informatics offers fulfilling work, high salaries, and strong career advancement opportunities. Read on for information on nursing informatics and how to enter the field.Jun 20, 2024How Technology Has Changed the Role of NursingLearn how nurses use technology to enhance the level of care they deliver to patients and future technology trends in healthcare.Feb 22, 2024
What Are The Highest-Paying Jobs In Health Informatics? - NurseJournal.org (2024)

FAQs

What Are The Highest-Paying Jobs In Health Informatics? - NurseJournal.org? ›

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $131,751 and as low as $17,764, the majority of salaries within the Health Informatics jobs category currently range between $66,600 (25th percentile) to $97,200 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $124,350 annually in California.

What is the highest salary in health informatics? ›

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $131,751 and as low as $17,764, the majority of salaries within the Health Informatics jobs category currently range between $66,600 (25th percentile) to $97,200 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $124,350 annually in California.

What is the job outlook for nursing informatics? ›

While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide specific job outlook data for nursing informaticist roles in particular, the BLS projects a 28% employment growth for medical and health services managers, including informatics specialists, from 2021 to 2031.

What is the salary after MS health informatics in USA? ›

The average health informatics salary in the USA is $89,250 per year or $42.91 per hour. Entry level positions start at $66,466 per year while most experienced workers make up to $147,607 per year.

What is the job outlook for health informatics? ›

Job Outlook

Employment of health information technologists and medical registrars is projected to grow 16 percent from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 3,100 openings for health information technologists and medical registrars are projected each year, on average, over the decade.

What is the highest salary for a health information technology person? ›

Healthcare Information Technology Salary in California
Annual SalaryWeekly Pay
Top Earners$47,371$910
75th Percentile$39,500$759
Average$34,440$662
25th Percentile$32,600$626

How much do entry level healthcare informatics professionals make in the US? ›

As of Jul 18, 2024, the average annual pay for a Health Informatics Entry Level in the United States is $82,781 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $39.80 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,591/week or $6,898/month.

Is a master's in health informatics worth IT? ›

Yes. Given the growth potential and demand for qualified workers, a master's in health informatics is worth it. According to the BLS, medical and health services managers earned a median annual salary of $101,340 in May 2021. And these high-level positions often require a master's degree or equal experience.

Is health informatics a good career in USA? ›

A health informatics degree is in demand

This created thousands of new jobs and new career paths as the industry developed. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has consistently reported major growth of jobs in the field.

Is a bachelor's in health informatics worth IT? ›

Graduates of health informatics programs have excellent earning potential, with professionals earning a median salary of $105,000 per year, according to our analysis of job postings data.

What is one example of a career in health informatics? ›

Health Information Systems Manager

Health information systems managers work with a health care organization to manage computer-related and IT activities, including identifying necessary software and hardware, providing IT support to various departments, and planning and executing IT updates and security measures.

Is health informatics a stressful job? ›

You'll Enjoy Better Work-Life Balance

Although every job has stressful components, informatics careers tend to be less stressful than patient care roles or even administrative roles.

What is the future of health informatics? ›

Future trends in health informatics will include building secure data exchange systems to safeguard confidential data. Computer systems will be encrypted and updated for data security. The sharing of electronic data would be simplified and occur through secure gateways.

What is the highest-paying job in the health industry? ›

Surgeon. Surgeons are among the highest-paid healthcare professionals, with salary packages upwards of $500,000 due to their extensive education and training, and the critical nature of their work. According to figures from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), they make an average income of $457,000.

Is health informatics an IT job? ›

Representing the intersections of computer science, information technology, and health care, careers in health informatics require an understanding of how health systems function, the role of information technology, and how to deliver IT-based solutions to better serve patients and the system at large.

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