How to Become an EMR Specialist
By: Jenn Brusco | March 2025
There are approximately 1 billion patient visits happening every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Each of these visits must be documented to accurately reflect health concerns, diagnoses, treatments or services, test results, and more. “As of 2021, nearly 9 in 10 (88%) of U.S. office-based physicians adopted any electronic health record (EHR).” Electronic Medical Records (EMR) Specialists are on the frontlines of maintaining these important records, and demand for their expertise is expected to grow faster than average through 2033. Could you be the next EMR specialist?
Primary responsibilities of an EMR Specialist
An EMR Specialist is a valuable member of the healthcare team, supporting accurate recordkeeping and maintenance. Some of their primary responsibilities include:
- Review patient records for accuracy and completeness
- Work directly with nurses and other healthcare providers to effectively record patient visit information
- Assign clinical codes for diagnoses, treatments, and other relevant information
- Record data for analysis, reporting, etc
- Maintain and retrieve documentation for insurance reimbursement
Additionally, the following skills and qualities are associated with successful EMR Specialists:
- Organized and detail-oriented
- Interpersonal communication skills
- Technical aptitude
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Adaptable
- Mindset of continuous learning
Salary potential of an EMR Specialist
Becoming an EMR Specialist isn’t just a rewarding career move, it’s also one that has great earning potential as well. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a medical records socialist is $48,780. Your exact salary potential will depend on a variety of factors, including location, experience, and training. For example, the states with the highest annual mean wage for medical records specialists include:
- District of Columbia (DC): $70,900
- Washington: $64,250
- California: $64,070
- Connecticut: $63,250
- Maryland: $62,930
To explore the salary range you can expect in your specific area, be sure to check out some local job postings. They will not only give you a good idea of potential pay, but also some of the requirements and expectations of the job.
Steps to become an EMR Specialist
If you’re interested in pursuing a career as an EMR specialist, there are a few things you need to do first.
- Earn a high school diploma or equivalent. Achieving this educational milestone is the minimum education requirement for an entry-level position.
- Complete an accredited certificate or degree program. Many employers will also require EMR specialists to have completed a certificate or degree program to ensure they have acquired the core knowledge and skills to enable them to be successful.
- Pursue industry-recognized certification. Employers may favor candidates who have earned an industry certification, like the Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) or Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). As a value-add for students who complete the EMR specialist certificate with U.S. Career Institute, their exam fee for the CEHRS is included in their tuition.
What's next?
You could start a new career as an EMR specialist in less than a year. You are literally one decision away from getting started – the decision to invest in your education. At U.S. Career Institute, we can help you work through each of the essential steps to start your new career. Whether you need to finish your high school diploma or are ready to knock out your EMR specialist certificate, we’ve got you covered.