OH · Columbus · Updated October 15, 2026

CDI Specialist jobs in Columbus, OH

CDI Specialists in the Columbus area earn a median of $35.66 per hour, about $74,170 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $33.40 and $46.31. That ranks 44th of 133 U.S. metro areas for CDI Specialist pay, and 33rd of 129 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 11 hospitals in Columbus. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Columbus.

CDI Specialist pay in Columbus, OH

The metro median is 5% above the Ohio statewide median of $33.95 per hour. Nationally the median is $32.36 per hour. BLS counts about 740 health information technologists and medical registrars employed in the Columbus metro area, 0.7 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 2.79).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$21.78$45,30033% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$33.40$69,4703% above U.S. median
Median$35.66$74,17010% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$46.31$96,32043% above U.S. median
Top 10%$53.35$110,97065% above U.S. median

How Columbus ranks

  • 44th of 133 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 33rd of 129 after adjusting for local prices
  • 1st of 6 Ohio 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 Columbus

  • Overall prices in Columbus run 5% below the U.S. average (index 95.5, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 12% below the U.S. average (index 87.9).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $35.66 median hour buys what $37.35 buys at the national price level, 15% 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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Estimate your Columbus paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$1,284
  • Per year: $64,188
  • Per month: $5,349

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Columbus metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Hospitals in Columbus

CMS lists 11 hospitals in Columbus.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Doctors Hospital
Columbus, OH
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Riverside Methodist Hospital
Columbus, OH
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Ohio State University State Health System
Columbus, OH
Acute careGovernment and federal3 of 5Yes
Grant Medical Center
Columbus, OH
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes
Mount Carmel East & West
Columbus, OH
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, OH
Children'sNonprofitNot ratedYes
Mount Carmel Behavioral Health
Columbus, OH
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedNo
Ohio Hospital For Psychiatry
Columbus, OH
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedNo
River Vista Health And Wellness Llc
Columbus, OH
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedNo
Sun Behavioral Columbus
Columbus, OH
PsychiatricNonprofitNot 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
Newark, OH30 mi$35.66/hr51,424
Springfield, OH43 mi$33.95/hr58,138
Kettering, OH65 mi$25.02/hr57,028
Dayton, OH66 mi$25.02/hr136,346
Middletown, OH80 mi$30.25/hr52,291
Hamilton, OH93 mi$30.25/hr63,953

CDI Specialist jobs in Ohio · CDI Specialist jobs nationwide

CDI Specialist salary in Ohio

What employers ask for, and tax basics in Ohio

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

Ohio taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Ohio state guide

Other healthcare roles in Columbus

Columbus city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do CDI Specialists make in Columbus, OH?

CDI Specialists in the Columbus metro area have a median pay of $35.66 per hour, about $74,170 a year. The middle half earn between $33.40 and $46.31 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Columbus ranks 33rd of 129 metro areas for CDI Specialist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 44th of 133 before adjusting. Overall prices run 5% below the U.S. average.

Where do CDI Specialists work in Columbus?

CMS lists 11 hospitals in Columbus, led by Doctors Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Ohio license to work in Columbus as a CDI Specialist?

CCDS or CDIP credential, or the ability to earn one. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Ohio requires for your role with the Ohio 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 Columbus?

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

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

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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 Columbus, OH
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Your CDI pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Ohio 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 Ohio list

2What they are offering now

Low$38Median$53.93High$76

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 Columbus, OH, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.

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