CDI Specialist jobs in Buffalo, NY
CDI Specialists in the Buffalo area earn a median of $44.28 per hour, about $92,110 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $27.43 and $47.82. That ranks 7th of 133 U.S. metro areas for CDI Specialist pay, and 3rd of 129 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 7 hospitals in Buffalo. The free report below lists employers near Buffalo and what they pay.
- $44.28median pay per hour, Buffalo
- $27–$48typical range per hour
- 90CDI Specialists employed in the metro area
- 96cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
CDI Specialist pay in Buffalo, NY
The metro median is 23% above the New York statewide median of $36.01 per hour. Nationally the median is $32.36 per hour. BLS counts about 90 health information technologists and medical registrars employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area, 0.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.67).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $20.12 | $41,850 | 38% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $27.43 | $57,050 | 15% below U.S. median |
| Median | $44.28 | $92,110 | 37% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $47.82 | $99,470 | 48% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $49.10 | $102,130 | 52% above U.S. median |
How Buffalo ranks
- 7th of 133 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 3rd of 129 after adjusting for local prices
- 1st of 7 New York 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 Buffalo
- Overall prices in Buffalo-Cheektowaga run 4% below the U.S. average (index 95.8, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 19% below the U.S. average (index 81.0).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $44.28 median hour buys what $46.20 buys at the national price level, 43% 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 Buffalo CDI Specialist pay report
Named employers near Buffalo, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Buffalo paycheck
- Per year: $79,704
- Per month: $6,642
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Hospitals in Buffalo
CMS lists 7 hospitals in Buffalo.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upstate New York Va Healthcare System (Western Ny Va Healthcare System) Buffalo, NY | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Kaleida Health Buffalo, NY | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Sisters Of Charity Hospital Buffalo, NY | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Erie County Medical Center Buffalo, NY | Acute care | Nonprofit | 2 of 5 | Yes |
| Mercy Hospital Of Buffalo Buffalo, NY | Acute care | Nonprofit | 2 of 5 | Yes |
| Brylin Hosp Buffalo, NY | Psychiatric | For-profit | Not rated | No |
| Buffalo Psychiatric Center Buffalo, NY | Psychiatric | Government and federal | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester, NY | 66 mi | $28.99/hr | 207,282 |
| Erie, PA | 82 mi | $29.55/hr | 92,940 |
| Syracuse, NY | 138 mi | $24.63/hr | 146,097 |
| Youngstown, OH | 154 mi | $17.50/hr | 59,123 |
| Cleveland, OH | 174 mi | $34.13/hr | 365,379 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 179 mi | $28.09/hr | 307,668 |
CDI Specialist jobs in New York · CDI Specialist jobs nationwide
What employers ask for, and tax basics in New York
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
New York taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Buffalo
Buffalo city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do CDI Specialists make in Buffalo, NY?
CDI Specialists in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga metro area have a median pay of $44.28 per hour, about $92,110 a year. The middle half earn between $27.43 and $47.82 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Buffalo a good place for CDI Specialists once cost of living is counted?
Buffalo-Cheektowaga ranks 3rd of 129 metro areas for CDI Specialist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 7th of 133 before adjusting. Overall prices run 4% below the U.S. average.
Where do CDI Specialists work in Buffalo?
CMS lists 7 hospitals in Buffalo, led by Upstate New York Va Healthcare System (Western Ny Va Healthcare System). Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a New York license to work in Buffalo as a CDI Specialist?
CCDS or CDIP credential, or the ability to earn one. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what New York requires for your role with the New York 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 Buffalo?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Buffalo and across New York. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Buffalo.
What do employers near Buffalo 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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100+ CDI Specialist roles in New York, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your CDI pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your New York list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- Montage HealthMonterey, CA · 1 posting$84.65/ hr$72–$97
- Emanate HealthWest Covina, CA · 1 posting$63.17/ hr$50–$77
- San Antonio Regional HospitalUpland, CA · 1 posting$59.87/ hr$48–$72
- Boston Medical CenterRemote, MA · 1 posting$56.69/ hr$38–$75
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your New York list
2What they are offering now
8 CDI postings with published pay in the US, 8 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open CDI roles
Open CDI roles near Buffalo, NY, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.