AZ · Tucson · Updated October 15, 2026

CDI Specialist jobs in Tucson, AZ

CDI Specialists in the Tucson area earn a median of $23.59 per hour, about $49,070 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $19.78 and $30.32. That ranks 103rd of 133 U.S. metro areas for CDI Specialist pay, and 102nd of 129 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 10 hospitals in Tucson. The free report below lists employers near Tucson and what they pay.

CDI Specialist pay in Tucson, AZ

The metro median is in line with the Arizona statewide median of $23.59 per hour. Nationally the median is $32.36 per hour. BLS counts about 120 health information technologists and medical registrars employed in the Tucson metro area, 0.3 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.24).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$18.68$38,85042% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$19.78$41,14039% below U.S. median
Median$23.59$49,07027% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$30.32$63,0706% below U.S. median
Top 10%$34.08$70,8905% above U.S. median

How Tucson ranks

  • 103rd of 133 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 102nd of 129 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd of 3 Arizona metro areas

BLS does not publish a separate figure for CDI Specialist. These numbers are for the broader category it belongs to, Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars (SOC 29-9021), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Tucson

  • Overall prices in Tucson run 3% below the U.S. average (index 96.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.8).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $23.59 median hour buys what $24.35 buys at the national price level, 25% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Named employers near Tucson, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Tucson paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$849
  • Per year: $42,462
  • Per month: $3,538

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Tucson metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Hospitals in Tucson

CMS lists 10 hospitals in Tucson.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Va S. Arizona Healthcare System
Tucson, AZ
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal5 of 5Yes
Banner-University Medical Center South Campus
Tucson, AZ
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Banner - University Medical Center Tucson Campus
Tucson, AZ
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
St Joseph's Hospital
Tucson, AZ
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Northwest Medical Center
Tucson, AZ
Acute careFor-profit2 of 5Yes
St. Mary's Hospital
Tucson, AZ
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes
Tucson Medical Center
Tucson, AZ
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes
El Dorado Springs
Tucson, AZ
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedNo
Palo Verde Behavioral Health
Tucson, AZ
PsychiatricNonprofitNot ratedYes
Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital
Tucson, AZ
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedYes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

CDI Specialist pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Marana, AZ27 mi$23.95/hr62,380
Casa Grande, AZ74 mi$23.95/hr68,927
Queen Creek, AZ87 mi$23.95/hr83,781
Maricopa, AZ90 mi$23.95/hr76,654
Gilbert, AZ95 mi$23.95/hr288,790
Chandler, AZ97 mi$23.95/hr281,231

CDI Specialist jobs in Arizona · CDI Specialist jobs nationwide

What employers ask for, and tax basics in Arizona

Clinical documentation integrity specialists review charts and query clinicians so records reflect patient severity accurately.

  • CCDS or CDIP credential, or the ability to earn one
  • Clinical background such as RN, or coding experience
  • Knowledge of DRGs and quality reporting

Arizona taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Arizona state guide

Other healthcare roles in Tucson

Tucson city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do CDI Specialists make in Tucson, AZ?

CDI Specialists in the Tucson metro area have a median pay of $23.59 per hour, about $49,070 a year. The middle half earn between $19.78 and $30.32 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Tucson a good place for CDI Specialists once cost of living is counted?

Tucson ranks 102nd of 129 metro areas for CDI Specialist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 103rd of 133 before adjusting. Overall prices run 3% below the U.S. average.

Where do CDI Specialists work in Tucson?

CMS lists 10 hospitals in Tucson, led by Va S. Arizona Healthcare System. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Arizona license to work in Tucson as a CDI Specialist?

CCDS or CDIP credential, or the ability to earn one. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Arizona requires for your role with the Arizona licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Does Valorem Health place CDI Specialists in Tucson?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Tucson and across Arizona. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Tucson.

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What do employers near Tucson pay CDI Specialists? Get the report.

Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.

  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other hospitals

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

  2. 2
    What they are offering now

    The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.

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Pay report · CDI near Tucson, AZ
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your CDI pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Arizona list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Montage HealthMonterey, CA · 1 posting$84.65/ hr$72–$97
  • Emanate HealthWest Covina, CA · 1 posting$63.17/ hr$50–$77
  • San Antonio Regional HospitalUpland, CA · 1 posting$59.87/ hr$48–$72
  • Boston Medical CenterRemote, MA · 1 posting$56.69/ hr$38–$75

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Arizona list

2What they are offering now

Low$38Median$53.93High$76

8 CDI postings with published pay in the US, 8 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open CDI roles

Open CDI roles near Tucson, AZ, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.

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