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 Santa Cruz, 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 3 hospitals in Santa Cruz. The free report below lists employers near Santa Cruz and what they pay.
- $45.84median pay per hour, California
- $34–$63typical range per hour
- 110cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
CDI Specialist pay in Santa Cruz, CA
Nationally the median is $32.36 per hour. BLS counts about 3,270 health information technologists and medical registrars employed in California.
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $26.75 | $55,640 | 17% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $33.77 | $70,240 | 4% above U.S. median |
| Median | $45.84 | $95,340 | 42% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $63.00 | $131,040 | 95% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $81.08 | $168,650 | 151% 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 Santa Cruz
- Overall prices in Santa Cruz-Watsonville run 10% above the U.S. average (index 109.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 64% above the U.S. average (index 164.3).
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 Santa Cruz CDI Specialist pay report
Named employers near Santa Cruz, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 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
Most are never shown on this page. Tell us your role and get the full list, with the pay on every one, in your inbox within 24 hours.
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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 Santa Cruz
CMS lists 3 hospitals in Santa Cruz.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dominican Hospital Santa Cruz, CA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Sutter Maternity & Surgery Center Of Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA | Acute care | Nonprofit | Not rated | No |
| Santa Cruz County Psychiatric Health Facility Santa Cruz, CA | Psychiatric | For-profit | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watsonville, CA | 15 mi | $45.84/hr | 51,320 |
| Cupertino, CA | 24 mi | $59.67/hr | 58,710 |
| Gilroy, CA | 25 mi | $59.67/hr | 60,390 |
| San Jose, CA | 25 mi | $59.67/hr | 997,368 |
| Santa Clara, CA | 27 mi | $59.67/hr | 133,132 |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 28 mi | $59.67/hr | 156,792 |
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 Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do CDI Specialists make in Santa Cruz, 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 Santa Cruz?
CMS lists 3 hospitals in Santa Cruz, led by Dominican Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a California license to work in Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Santa Cruz and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Santa Cruz.
Free for every candidate
What do employers near Santa Cruz 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.