Salary deep dive / SOC 11-9111
HIM Director salary.
Complete pay breakdown for HIM Directors, sitting inside the BLS Medical and Health Services Managers occupation (SOC 11-9111). National median $123,860; 90th percentile $224,340. HIM Directors at large IDNs and academic medical centers typically clear $150-220K; VP-level executive HIM roles at major systems reach $220-320K+.
By Taylor Rupe, editor · Updated
10th percentile
Median (BLS)
90th percentile
BLS growth 2022-2032
The 5 facts about HIM Director pay.
- BLS SOC 11-9111 covers all Medical and Health Services Managers. National median $123,860, 90th percentile $224,340. HIM Directors fall in the upper half of this distribution.
- By hospital size: small community hospital $95-130K; mid-size $120-160K; large/academic $150-220K; multi-hospital IDN Senior Director $180-260K; VP-level major system $220-320K+.
- Geographic premium: California, NY, MA, DC metro run 15-25% above national; Texas, Florida, Midwest near national median; rural areas 10-20% below.
- Total compensation often includes 5-15% annual bonus tied to department metrics. Senior director and VP roles add equity grants or deferred compensation at for-profit systems.
- BLS projects 28% growth 2022-2032 — one of the fastest-growing management occupations across all industries.
BLS data
BLS Medical and Health Services Managers (SOC 11-9111).
The BLS occupation 11-9111 covers all Medical and Health Services Managers — HIM Directors plus hospital administrators, clinic managers, group practice administrators, and similar roles. It's a broad category, but HIM Directors typically sit in the upper half of the wage distribution because of the credentialing requirements (RHIA, often MHIM) and the audit-defense responsibilities.
| Statistic | Annual |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $73,390 |
| Median (50th) | $123,860 |
| Mean | $140,970 |
| 90th percentile | $224,340 |
| Total US employment (occupation) | 597,080 |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2024, SOC 11-9111.
By setting
HIM Director pay by employer setting.
| Setting | Typical HIM Director pay |
|---|---|
| Small community hospital (50-150 beds) | $95,000-$130,000 |
| Mid-size hospital (150-400 beds) | $120,000-$160,000 |
| Large hospital / academic medical center | $150,000-$220,000 |
| Multi-hospital IDN Senior Director | $180,000-$260,000 |
| VP HIM / Executive Director (major system) | $220,000-$320,000+ |
| Payer organization HIM Director | $140,000-$200,000 |
| Healthcare consulting (Deloitte, Huron) | $160,000-$230,000+ (plus bonus) |
By system size
Pay scales with system size and complexity.
System size is the single biggest driver of HIM Director pay differences within hospitals. The pattern across major IDN systems:
- Single community hospital (50-200 beds): 1 HIM Director, typically managing 8-20 staff. Pay band $95-140K.
- Mid-size hospital (200-500 beds): 1 HIM Director plus 1-2 managers below. Staff 20-40. Pay band $130-170K.
- Large hospital (500-800 beds, academic affiliations): HIM Director plus 3-5 managers. Staff 40-80. Pay band $160-220K.
- Multi-hospital system, system-level HIM Director: Oversees HIM operations across 3-10 hospitals. Pay band $180-260K.
- Major IDN VP of HIM / Executive Director: Oversees enterprise HIM strategy across 15+ hospitals. Pay band $220-320K plus bonus and equity.
Academic medical centers tend to pay at the top of band for given size because of the additional complexity (Level I trauma, transplant, NCI cancer center work). Federally-affiliated systems (VA, military) pay at the lower end of band but offer pension and stability.
By experience
Years to director and pay at each stage.
| Years in HIM | Typical role | Pay band |
|---|---|---|
| 5-8 | HIM Supervisor / Coding Manager | $80-105K |
| 8-12 | HIM Manager (multi-function) | $95-125K |
| 12+ | HIM Director (hospital) | $130-220K |
| 15+ | System HIM Director | $180-260K |
| 20+ | VP HIM / Chief HI Officer | $220-320K+ |
Faster paths exist for strong performers with the right credential combination (RHIA + CCS + MHIM) and early supervisory experience.
Geography
Geographic premium for HIM Director pay.
Geographic adjustments to the typical pay band:
- High-premium markets (+15-25%): California (Bay Area, LA), New York metro, Boston, Washington DC, Seattle. Cost of living drives pay up, and these metros host the largest academic medical centers.
- National-median markets: Texas (Houston, Dallas, Austin), Florida (Miami, Tampa), Chicago, Atlanta, Denver. Hospital concentration is high but cost of living is moderate.
- Below-median markets (-10-20%): Rural areas, small-town community hospitals, lower-cost states. Federal contracting and VA medical center roles in these markets often pay national median because of federal pay schedules.
Total compensation
Beyond base salary.
Base salary is one part of HIM Director compensation. Typical additional components:
- Annual bonus: 5-15% of base, typically tied to department performance metrics (audit accuracy, productivity, denial rates, employee retention, system financial goals).
- Long-term incentive / deferred compensation: Senior Director and VP-level roles at large for-profit systems often include 3-5 year vesting of restricted stock or deferred cash.
- Retirement benefits: Typically 5-8% employer 403(b)/401(k) contribution. Federal/VA roles include FERS pension.
- Health and benefits: Strong across the industry. Major IDNs and academic medical centers typically offer premium health plans, education reimbursement ($5-10K/year), and credential maintenance fees.
- Equity (for-profit systems): Senior HIM leaders at HCA, Tenet, Community Health Systems, and similar for-profit operators often receive equity grants.
Total compensation often runs 15-25% above stated base salary for senior director and VP roles. Negotiate the full package, not just base.
Related
Keep exploring.
HIM Director career profile
Day-in-life, scope, and how to get there.
RHIA certification
The required credential for hospital HIM Directors.
BSHIM pillar
The bachelor's path that opens RHIA.
Medical Records salary
The entry-level HIM pay data.
CDI Specialist salary
The high-paying coding-adjacent track.
All salary data
National wage data across HIM roles.
Sources
- BLS OEWS Medical and Health Services Managers, May 2024. bls.gov/oes/119111
- BLS OOH Medical and Health Services Managers. bls.gov/ooh
- AHIMA salary surveys and member compensation data.
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