CDI Specialist jobs in Columbia, SC
The median CDI Specialist pay in the Columbia area is $20.29 per hour ($42,200 a year), with the typical range running from $17.82 to $25.44. That ranks 120th of 133 U.S. metro areas for CDI Specialist pay, and 115th of 129 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 6 hospitals in Columbia. The free report below lists employers near Columbia and what they pay.
- $20.29median pay per hour, Columbia
- $18–$25typical range per hour
- 50CDI Specialists employed in the metro area
- 94cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
CDI Specialist pay in Columbia, SC
The metro median is 9% above the South Carolina statewide median of $18.59 per hour. Nationally the median is $32.36 per hour. BLS counts about 50 health information technologists and medical registrars employed in the Columbia metro area, 0.1 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.54).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $16.57 | $34,470 | 49% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $17.82 | $37,070 | 45% below U.S. median |
| Median | $20.29 | $42,200 | 37% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $25.44 | $52,920 | 21% below U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $43.52 | $90,520 | 34% above U.S. median |
How Columbia ranks
- 120th of 133 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 115th of 129 after adjusting for local prices
- 2nd of 3 South Carolina 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 Columbia
- Overall prices in Columbia run 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.7, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 21% below the U.S. average (index 79.5).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $20.29 median hour buys what $21.66 buys at the national price level, 33% 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 Columbia CDI Specialist pay report
Named employers near Columbia, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Columbia paycheck
- Per year: $36,522
- Per month: $3,044
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Columbia metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Hospitals in Columbia
CMS lists 6 hospitals in Columbia.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Sc Va Medical Center Columbia, SC | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Prisma Health Baptist Columbia, SC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Columbia, SC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Musc Health Columbia Medical Center Downtown Columbia, SC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Prisma Health Richland Hospital Columbia, SC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| G Werber Bryan Psych Hosp Columbia, SC | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Hill, SC | 62 mi | $21.19/hr | 75,798 |
| Charlotte, NC | 81 mi | $21.19/hr | 943,476 |
| Augusta, GA | 82 mi | $18.99/hr | 201,737 |
| Summerville, SC | 83 mi | $22.63/hr | 52,625 |
| Gastonia, NC | 85 mi | $21.19/hr | 85,535 |
| Goose Creek, SC | 89 mi | $22.63/hr | 50,352 |
CDI Specialist jobs in South Carolina · CDI Specialist jobs nationwide
What employers ask for, and tax basics in South Carolina
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
South Carolina taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Columbia
Columbia city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do CDI Specialists make in Columbia, SC?
CDI Specialists in the Columbia metro area have a median pay of $20.29 per hour, about $42,200 a year. The middle half earn between $17.82 and $25.44 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Columbia a good place for CDI Specialists once cost of living is counted?
Columbia ranks 115th of 129 metro areas for CDI Specialist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 120th of 133 before adjusting. Overall prices run 6% below the U.S. average.
Where do CDI Specialists work in Columbia?
CMS lists 6 hospitals in Columbia, led by Columbia Sc Va Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a South Carolina license to work in Columbia as a CDI Specialist?
CCDS or CDIP credential, or the ability to earn one. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what South Carolina requires for your role with the South Carolina 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 Columbia?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Columbia and across South Carolina. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Columbia.
What do employers near Columbia 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.
Get your free pay report
35+ CDI Specialist roles in South Carolina, 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 Columbia, SC, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.