CDI Specialist jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
The median CDI Specialist pay in the Pittsburgh area is $28.09 per hour ($58,430 a year), with the typical range running from $23.50 to $42.39. That ranks 85th of 133 U.S. metro areas for CDI Specialist pay, and 83rd of 129 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 11 hospitals in Pittsburgh. The free report below lists employers near Pittsburgh and what they pay.
- $28.09median pay per hour, Pittsburgh
- $24–$42typical range per hour
- 180CDI Specialists employed in the metro area
- 95cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
CDI Specialist pay in Pittsburgh, PA
The metro median is 5% below the Pennsylvania statewide median of $29.55 per hour. Nationally the median is $32.36 per hour. BLS counts about 180 health information technologists and medical registrars employed in the Pittsburgh metro area, 0.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.68).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $18.68 | $38,850 | 42% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $23.50 | $48,880 | 27% below U.S. median |
| Median | $28.09 | $58,430 | 13% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $42.39 | $88,170 | 31% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $48.80 | $101,500 | 51% above U.S. median |
How Pittsburgh ranks
- 85th of 133 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 83rd of 129 after adjusting for local prices
- 5th of 5 Pennsylvania 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 Pittsburgh
- Overall prices in Pittsburgh run 5% below the U.S. average (index 94.7, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 28% below the U.S. average (index 72.0).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $28.09 median hour buys what $29.67 buys at the national price level, 8% below 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 Pittsburgh CDI Specialist pay report
Named employers near Pittsburgh, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Pittsburgh paycheck
- Per year: $50,562
- Per month: $4,214
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Pittsburgh metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Hospitals in Pittsburgh
CMS lists 11 hospitals in Pittsburgh.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magee Womens Hospital Of Upmc Health System Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| St Clair Hospital Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Upmc Mercy Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Upmc Passavant Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Upmc Presbyterian Shadyside Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Va Pittsburgh Healthcare System - Univ Dr Pittsburgh, PA | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Upmc St Margaret Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| West Penn Hospital Pittsburgh, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Children's Home Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh, PA | Children's | Nonprofit | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Youngstown, OH | 57 mi | $17.50/hr | 59,123 |
| Canton, OH | 77 mi | $33.95/hr | 69,211 |
| Akron, OH | 92 mi | $33.15/hr | 189,664 |
| Cuyahoga Falls, OH | 97 mi | $33.15/hr | 50,979 |
| Parma, OH | 112 mi | $34.13/hr | 79,350 |
| Cleveland, OH | 114 mi | $34.13/hr | 365,379 |
CDI Specialist jobs in Pennsylvania · CDI Specialist jobs nationwide
What employers ask for, and tax basics in Pennsylvania
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
Pennsylvania taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do CDI Specialists make in Pittsburgh, PA?
CDI Specialists in the Pittsburgh metro area have a median pay of $28.09 per hour, about $58,430 a year. The middle half earn between $23.50 and $42.39 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Pittsburgh a good place for CDI Specialists once cost of living is counted?
Pittsburgh ranks 83rd of 129 metro areas for CDI Specialist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 85th of 133 before adjusting. Overall prices run 5% below the U.S. average.
Where do CDI Specialists work in Pittsburgh?
CMS lists 11 hospitals in Pittsburgh, led by Magee Womens Hospital Of Upmc Health System. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Pennsylvania license to work in Pittsburgh as a CDI Specialist?
CCDS or CDIP credential, or the ability to earn one. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Pennsylvania requires for your role with the Pennsylvania 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 Pittsburgh?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Pittsburgh and across Pennsylvania. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Pittsburgh.
What do employers near Pittsburgh 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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110+ CDI Specialist roles in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pittsburgh, PA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.