PermanentPosted 2 days ago
Clinical Documentation Specialist
San Antonio Regional Hospital · Upland, CA
$47.90–$71.84/ hour
New this week
CDI Specialist jobs in Palo Alto, CA
The median CDI Specialist pay in the Palo Alto area is $59.67 per hour ($124,110 a year), with the typical range running from $38.75 to $76.35. That ranks 1st of 133 U.S. metro areas for CDI Specialist pay, and 2nd of 129 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Palo Alto. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Palo Alto.
- $59.67median pay per hour, San Jose
- $39–$76typical range per hour
- 340CDI Specialists employed in the metro area
- 110cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
CDI Specialist pay in Palo Alto, CA
The metro median is 30% above the California statewide median of $45.84 per hour. Nationally the median is $32.36 per hour. BLS counts about 340 health information technologists and medical registrars employed in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area, 0.3 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.22).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $31.99 | $66,540 | 1% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $38.75 | $80,600 | 20% above U.S. median |
| Median | $59.67 | $124,110 | 84% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $76.35 | $158,810 | 136% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $96.38 | $200,470 | 198% above U.S. median |
How Palo Alto ranks
- 1st of 133 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 2nd of 129 after adjusting for local prices
- 1st of 10 California 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 Palo Alto
- Overall prices in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara run 10% above the U.S. average (index 110.4, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 112% above the U.S. average (index 211.9).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $59.67 median hour buys what $54.04 buys at the national price level, 67% above 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.
Get the Palo Alto CDI Specialist pay report
Named employers near Palo Alto, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Palo Alto paycheck
Estimated weekly gross$2,148
- Per year: $107,406
- Per month: $8,950
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Open CDI Specialist roles in California
Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Palo Alto as they open.
PermanentPosted 10 days ago
Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialist - Full Time (On-Site) - Days - 8hr QVH
Emanate Health · West Covina, CA
$49.55–$76.80/ hour
Top 25% pay
For youUpdated weekly
230+ more CDI Specialist roles for you in California
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PermanentPosted 29 days ago
Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialist
Montage Health · Monterey, CA
$72.42–$96.87/ hour
Top 25% pay
Hospitals in Palo Alto
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Palo Alto.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto Va Medical Center Palo Alto, CA | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hsp At Stanford Palo Alto, CA | Children's | Nonprofit | Not rated | No |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
CDI Specialist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain View, CA | 4 mi | $59.67/hr | 87,316 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 6 mi | $59.67/hr | 156,792 |
| Redwood City, CA | 9 mi | $46.45/hr | 82,982 |
| Fremont, CA | 13 mi | $46.45/hr | 228,192 |
| San Mateo, CA | 15 mi | $46.45/hr | 103,006 |
| Union City, CA | 16 mi | $46.45/hr | 66,196 |
CDI Specialist jobs in California · CDI Specialist jobs nationwide
What employers ask for, and tax basics in California
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
California taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Palo Alto
Palo Alto city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do CDI Specialists make in Palo Alto, CA?
CDI Specialists in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara metro area have a median pay of $59.67 per hour, about $124,110 a year. The middle half earn between $38.75 and $76.35 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Palo Alto a good place for CDI Specialists once cost of living is counted?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara ranks 2nd of 129 metro areas for CDI Specialist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 1st of 133 before adjusting. Overall prices run 10% above the U.S. average.
Where do CDI Specialists work in Palo Alto?
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Palo Alto, led by Palo Alto Va Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a California license to work in Palo Alto as a CDI Specialist?
CCDS or CDIP credential, or the ability to earn one. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California 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 Palo Alto?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Palo Alto and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Palo Alto.
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What do employers near Palo Alto 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.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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230+ CDI Specialist roles in California, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]
Your CDI pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your California list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Boston Medical CenterRemote, MA · 1 posting$56.69/ hr$38–$75
- CommonSpirit HealthCHICAGO, IL · 1 posting$51.17/ hr$41–$61
- Adventist HealthGaithersburg, MD · 1 posting$46.47/ hr$37–$56
- Capital Health SystemPennington, NJ · 1 posting$45.44/ hr$39–$51
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your California list
2What they are offering now
Low$48Median$63.17High$97
3 CDI postings with published pay in California, 3 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open now: 3 CDI roles
- Clinical Documentation SpecialistPermanent$47.90–$71.84/ hour
- Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialist - Full Time (On-Site) - Days - 8hr QVHPermanent$49.55–$76.80/ hour
+ 1 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.
I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.