Policy & Regulation News

How well-paid are health IT professionals?

By Elizabeth Snell

- Healthcare IT is not only one of the fastest growing sectors in the country, but those in the field can earn a high salary, obtain job security and be satisfied in their job, according to a recent HealthITJobs.com survey.

HealthITJobs took the responses of approximately 700 individuals working in healthcare IT between July and August 2014. Respondents had an average of eight years of experience in the field and 52 percent were 44 years old or younger.

The mean salary for healthcare IT professionals is $89,879.43, with 30 percent also receiving an average bonus of $13,100.52. However, there is still a noticeable pay gap between men and women. The survey found that women are paid an average salary of $82,036, while male health IT works make an average of $99,568 per year.

“The data doesn’t present reasons for this gender pay gap, but it’s certainly something the industry as a whole should consider,” the report’s authors said.

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  • The majority of healthcare IT professionals are also happy in their positions, with 80 percent of respondents citing high job satisfaction levels. The ability to learn new skills was the biggest contributing factor to high morale — 66 percent — and 59 percent said that they were pleased with the upward mobility in the industry. Fifty-six percent stated that they were happy with the income potential.

    Geographical region also factored into the results. The mid-Atlantic region boasted the highest salaries, averaging approximately $105, 923 per year. The Midwest had the lowest average annual salaries, at around $81,255. The cost of living in each area should be considered though, according to the report.

    Unsurprisingly, experience is also a key contributing factor to a higher salary. The average salary of a professional with health IT experience was $89,241, while the average salary for those without experience was a much lower $54,237, the survey found.

    “The gap between the most experienced and least experienced is pretty telling,” the report said. “While those with two years or less of experience made $70,158, those with more than 20 years of experience were pulling in about $145,133 on average. As experience trends upwards, so does the salary for health IT professionals.”

    Additionally, certifications in healthcare IT can make a difference. Certified workers made upwards of $10,000 more than those who did not have certifications.

    There were also salary variations depending on the specific area of healthcare IT that an individual was working in. For example, health IT consulting averaged the highest wages — $109,715 — and insurance companies had average annual salaries of $93.162. Software vendors  make an average of $87,992 per year, while those working in hospital or health systems have average annual salaries of $85,367.

    “The 2014 HealthITJobs.com salary survey confirmed the future is looking bright — and lucrative — for those looking to pursue a job in the health IT field,” the report read. “With technology moving forward every day, health IT workers are now invaluable assets to the healthcare field.”