CA · Richmond · Updated October 15, 2026

CDI Specialist jobs in Richmond, CA

CDI Specialists in the Richmond area earn a median of $46.45 per hour, about $96,610 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $40.59 and $71.70. That ranks 4th of 133 U.S. metro areas for CDI Specialist pay, and 20th of 129 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 42 hospitals in the Richmond metro area. The free report below lists employers near Richmond and what they pay.

CDI Specialist pay in Richmond, CA

The metro median is 1% above the California statewide median of $45.84 per hour. Nationally the median is $32.36 per hour. BLS counts about 350 health information technologists and medical registrars employed in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area, 0.1 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.59).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$30.32$63,0706% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$40.59$84,43025% above U.S. median
Median$46.45$96,61044% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$71.70$149,140122% above U.S. median
Top 10%$90.17$187,550179% above U.S. median

How Richmond ranks

  • 4th of 133 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 20th of 129 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd 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 Richmond

  • Overall prices in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont run 16% above the U.S. average (index 115.6, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 95% above the U.S. average (index 194.7).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $46.45 median hour buys what $40.18 buys at the national price level, 24% 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.

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

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Estimate your Richmond paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,672
  • Per year: $83,610
  • Per month: $6,968

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont 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 Richmond as they open.

All CDI Specialist jobs in California

Hospitals in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area

CMS lists 42 hospitals in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
Oakland, CA
Acute careNonprofit5 of 5Yes
Novato Community Hospital
Novato, CA
Acute careNonprofit5 of 5Yes
Sequoia Hospital
Redwood City, CA
Acute careNonprofit5 of 5Yes
Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley
Pleasanton, CA
Acute careNonprofit5 of 5Yes
Alameda Hospital
Alameda, CA
Acute careGovernment and federal4 of 5Yes
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Camp
Berkeley, CA
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
California Pacific Medical Center - Mission Bernal
San Francisco, CA
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Contra Costa Regional Medical Center
Martinez, CA
Acute careGovernment and federal4 of 5Yes
John Muir Medical Center - Concord Campus
Concord, CA
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Kaiser Foundation Hospital
San Rafael, CA
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes

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
Berkeley, CA7 mi$46.45/hr121,749
San Rafael, CA8 mi$46.45/hr59,961
Vallejo, CA12 mi$45.84/hr123,475
Napa, CA24 mi$45.84/hr76,921

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.

California state guide

Other healthcare roles in Richmond

Richmond city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do CDI Specialists make in Richmond, CA?

CDI Specialists in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont metro area have a median pay of $46.45 per hour, about $96,610 a year. The middle half earn between $40.59 and $71.70 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont ranks 20th of 129 metro areas for CDI Specialist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 4th of 133 before adjusting. Overall prices run 16% above the U.S. average.

Where do CDI Specialists work in Richmond?

CMS lists 42 hospitals in the San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont area, led by Alta Bates Summit Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a California license to work in Richmond 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 Richmond?

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

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What do employers near Richmond 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.

  3. 3
    Roles open for you right now

    Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · CDI near Richmond, CA
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

  1. Clinical Documentation SpecialistPermanent
    $47.90–$71.84/ hour
    San Antonio Regional Hospital · Upland, CA · posted 2 days ago
  2. Clinical Documentation Integrity Specialist - Full Time (On-Site) - Days - 8hr QVHPermanent
    $49.55–$76.80/ hour
    Emanate Health · West Covina, CA · posted 10 days ago

+ 1 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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