CA · Salinas · Updated October 15, 2026

CDI Specialist jobs in Salinas, CA

The median CDI Specialist pay in California is $45.84 per hour ($95,340 a year), with the typical range running from $33.77 to $63.00. That is 42% above the U.S. median of $32.36 per hour. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Salinas. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Salinas.

CDI Specialist pay in Salinas, CA

Nationally the median is $32.36 per hour. BLS counts about 3,270 health information technologists and medical registrars employed in California.

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$26.75$55,64017% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$33.77$70,2404% above U.S. median
Median$45.84$95,34042% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$63.00$131,04095% above U.S. median
Top 10%$81.08$168,650151% above U.S. median

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 Salinas

  • Overall prices in Salinas run 9% above the U.S. average (index 109.0, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 46% above the U.S. average (index 145.7).

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 Salinas CDI Specialist pay report

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

Get my free pay report

Estimate your Salinas paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,650
  • Per year: $82,512
  • Per month: $6,876

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for California. 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 Salinas as they open.

All CDI Specialist jobs in California

Hospitals in Salinas

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Salinas.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Salinas Valley Health Medical Center
Salinas, CA
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Natividad Medical Center
Salinas, CA
Acute careGovernment and federal3 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
Watsonville, CA18 mi$45.84/hr51,320
Gilroy, CA22 mi$59.67/hr60,390
Santa Cruz, CA30 mi$45.84/hr62,581
San Jose, CA43 mi$59.67/hr997,368
Cupertino, CA49 mi$59.67/hr58,710
Santa Clara, CA50 mi$59.67/hr133,132

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 Salinas

Salinas city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do CDI Specialists make in Salinas, CA?

CDI Specialists in California have a median pay of $45.84 per hour, about $95,340 a year. The middle half earn between $33.77 and $63.00 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Where do CDI Specialists work in Salinas?

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Salinas, led by Salinas Valley Health Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

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

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

Free for every candidate

What do employers near Salinas 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.

Get your free pay report

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.

Please enter your first name.
Please enter your last name.
That email doesn't look quite right.
Please choose your role.
Please enter your city or ZIP.

Free for candidates. No phone number, no cold calls. One-click unsubscribe.

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 Salinas, 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.

I'm interestedOne click. A recruiter writes only after you reply.
Check my pay