CA · San Jose · Updated October 15, 2026

CDI Specialist jobs in San Jose, CA

The median CDI Specialist pay in the San Jose 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 4 hospitals in San Jose. The free report below lists employers near San Jose and what they pay.

CDI Specialist pay in San Jose, 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).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$31.99$66,5401% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$38.75$80,60020% above U.S. median
Median$59.67$124,11084% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$76.35$158,810136% above U.S. median
Top 10%$96.38$200,470198% above U.S. median

How San Jose 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 San Jose

  • 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 San Jose CDI Specialist pay report

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

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Estimate your San Jose 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 San Jose as they open.

All CDI Specialist jobs in California

Hospitals in San Jose

CMS lists 4 hospitals in San Jose.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Kaiser Foundation Hospital-San Jose
San Jose, CA
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Good Samaritan Hospital
San Jose, CA
Acute careFor-profit2 of 5Yes
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center
San Jose, CA
Acute careGovernment and federal2 of 5Yes
San Jose Behavioral Health
San Jose, CA
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedNo

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
Santa Clara, CA10 mi$59.67/hr133,132
Milpitas, CA10 mi$59.67/hr79,746
Fremont, CA15 mi$46.45/hr228,192
Union City, CA24 mi$46.45/hr66,196
Santa Cruz, CA25 mi$45.84/hr62,581
Watsonville, CA26 mi$45.84/hr51,320

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 San Jose

San Jose city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do CDI Specialists make in San Jose, 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 San Jose 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 San Jose?

CMS lists 4 hospitals in San Jose, led by Kaiser Foundation Hospital-San Jose. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a California license to work in San Jose 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 San Jose?

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

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

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  1. 1
    Pay for your role at other hospitals

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

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    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 San Jose, 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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