CDI Specialist jobs in Madison, WI
Pay for CDI Specialists in the Madison area centers on $32.73 per hour, or about $68,080 a year. The lower quarter earns under $27.01 and the upper quarter over $40.59. That ranks 55th of 133 U.S. metro areas for CDI Specialist pay, and 55th of 129 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 5 hospitals in Madison. The free report below lists employers near Madison and what they pay.
- $32.73median pay per hour, Madison
- $27–$41typical range per hour
- 80CDI Specialists employed in the metro area
- 97cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
CDI Specialist pay in Madison, WI
The metro median is in line with the Wisconsin statewide median of $32.73 per hour. Nationally the median is $32.36 per hour. BLS counts about 80 health information technologists and medical registrars employed in the Madison metro area, 0.2 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.76).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $23.42 | $48,710 | 28% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $27.01 | $56,180 | 17% below U.S. median |
| Median | $32.73 | $68,080 | 1% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $40.59 | $84,430 | 25% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $45.19 | $94,000 | 40% above U.S. median |
How Madison ranks
- 55th of 133 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 55th of 129 after adjusting for local prices
- 2nd of 3 Wisconsin 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 Madison
- Overall prices in Madison run 3% below the U.S. average (index 97.3, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: in line with the U.S. average (index 99.7).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $32.73 median hour buys what $33.64 buys at the national price level, 4% 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 Madison CDI Specialist pay report
Named employers near Madison, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Madison paycheck
- Per year: $58,914
- Per month: $4,910
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Madison metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Hospitals in Madison
CMS lists 5 hospitals in Madison.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Va Medical Center Madison, WI | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Unitypoint Health - Meriter Madison, WI | Acute care | Nonprofit | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| University Of Wi Hospitals & Clinics Authority Madison, WI | Acute care | Government and federal | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Ssm Health St Mary's Hospital - Madison Madison, WI | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Mendota Mental Health Institute Madison, WI | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Janesville, WI | 35 mi | $32.73/hr | 66,428 |
| Waukesha, WI | 60 mi | $30.84/hr | 71,461 |
| Rockford, IL | 60 mi | $23.70/hr | 147,486 |
| West Allis, WI | 71 mi | $30.84/hr | 59,784 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 74 mi | $30.84/hr | 563,531 |
| Dubuque, IA | 76 mi | $34.61/hr | 58,987 |
CDI Specialist jobs in Wisconsin · CDI Specialist jobs nationwide
What employers ask for, and tax basics in Wisconsin
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
Wisconsin taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Madison
Madison city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do CDI Specialists make in Madison, WI?
CDI Specialists in the Madison metro area have a median pay of $32.73 per hour, about $68,080 a year. The middle half earn between $27.01 and $40.59 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Madison a good place for CDI Specialists once cost of living is counted?
Madison ranks 55th of 129 metro areas for CDI Specialist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 55th of 133 before adjusting. Overall prices run 3% below the U.S. average.
Where do CDI Specialists work in Madison?
CMS lists 5 hospitals in Madison, led by Madison Va Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Wisconsin license to work in Madison as a CDI Specialist?
CCDS or CDIP credential, or the ability to earn one. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Wisconsin requires for your role with the Wisconsin 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 Madison?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Madison and across Wisconsin. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Madison.
What do employers near Madison 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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70+ CDI Specialist roles in Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Madison, WI, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.