CDI Specialist jobs in Houston, TX
CDI Specialists in the Houston area earn a median of $37.81 per hour, about $78,650 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $26.00 and $48.52. That ranks 32nd of 133 U.S. metro areas for CDI Specialist pay, and 27th of 129 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 28 hospitals in Houston. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Houston.
- $37.81median pay per hour, Houston
- $26–$49typical range per hour
- 610CDI Specialists employed in the metro area
- 99cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
CDI Specialist pay in Houston, TX
The metro median is 1% above the Texas statewide median of $37.53 per hour. Nationally the median is $32.36 per hour. BLS counts about 610 health information technologists and medical registrars employed in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro area, 0.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.77).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $21.36 | $44,430 | 34% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $26.00 | $54,080 | 20% below U.S. median |
| Median | $37.81 | $78,650 | 17% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $48.52 | $100,920 | 50% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $53.20 | $110,660 | 64% above U.S. median |
How Houston ranks
- 32nd of 133 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 27th of 129 after adjusting for local prices
- 5th of 9 Texas 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 Houston
- Overall prices in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands run 1% below the U.S. average (index 98.6, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 5% above the U.S. average (index 104.5).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $37.81 median hour buys what $38.34 buys at the national price level, 18% 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 Houston CDI Specialist pay report
Named employers near Houston, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Houston paycheck
- Per year: $68,058
- Per month: $5,672
- Texas has no state income tax on wages.
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Hospitals in Houston
CMS lists 28 hospitals in Houston.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Methodist Hospital Houston, TX | Acute care | Nonprofit | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Houston Methodist West Hospital Houston, TX | Acute care | Nonprofit | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital Houston, TX | Acute care | Nonprofit | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Houston Va Medical Center Houston, TX | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Baylor St Lukes Medical Center Houston, TX | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Hca Houston Healthcare Medical Center Houston, TX | Acute care | For-profit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Memorial Hermann - Texas Medical Center Houston, TX | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital Houston, TX | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| St Luke's Hospital At The Vintage Houston, TX | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Womans Hospital Of Texas,The Houston, TX | Acute care | For-profit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearland, TX | 16 mi | $37.81/hr | 129,620 |
| Pasadena, TX | 17 mi | $37.81/hr | 149,617 |
| Beaumont, TX | 77 mi | $37.53/hr | 112,893 |
| College Station, TX | 77 mi | $37.53/hr | 128,023 |
CDI Specialist jobs in Texas · CDI Specialist jobs nationwide
What employers ask for, and tax basics in Texas
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
Texas does not tax wage income at the state level, so take-home pay is higher than the same gross pay in a state that does.
Other healthcare roles in Houston
Houston city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do CDI Specialists make in Houston, TX?
CDI Specialists in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands metro area have a median pay of $37.81 per hour, about $78,650 a year. The middle half earn between $26.00 and $48.52 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Houston a good place for CDI Specialists once cost of living is counted?
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands ranks 27th of 129 metro areas for CDI Specialist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 32nd of 133 before adjusting. Overall prices run 1% below the U.S. average.
Where do CDI Specialists work in Houston?
CMS lists 28 hospitals in Houston, led by Houston Methodist Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Texas license to work in Houston as a CDI Specialist?
CCDS or CDIP credential, or the ability to earn one. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Texas requires for your role with the Texas 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 Houston?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Houston and across Texas. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Houston.
What do employers near Houston 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
190+ CDI Specialist roles in Texas, 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 Texas 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 Texas 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 Houston, TX, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.