Published May 5, 2026 7 min read
Unless otherwise noted, all labor market data in this article is sourced from Lightcast/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, current as of May 2026.
Are you interested in a career that blends healthcare with cutting-edge data management? South Carolina’s health information sector offers promising opportunities. With over 750 active job postings across these roles and median salaries reaching up to $81,959, exploring a career as a Health Information Specialist in the Palmetto State can lead to a stable and rewarding future.
Discover Health Information Specialist Careers in South Carolina
1. Medical Records / Coding Supervisor
A Medical Records or Coding Supervisor oversees the work of technicians and medical coders, managing healthcare records and ensuring patient information is safely and accurately maintained. You’ll work in a healthcare facility or hospital, playing a critical role in data integrity.
- Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $63,900, with a median salary of $81,959 and top earners reaching $123,648. The mean annual salary is $87,762.
- Demand & Growth: There is low demand with 47 active postings, and the field is projected to grow by 2.0%.
- Top Skills: Leadership, Management, Operations, Communication, and Supervision.
- Salary-Boosting Skills: Expertise in Encoder Pro, Workflow Management, and CPT Coding can significantly increase your earning potential.
- Certifications: Boost your career with a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) (57% of professionals hold this), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) (49%), or Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) (47%).
- Top Employers in South Carolina: HCA Healthcare, Conway Medical Center, Encompass Health, Intermountain Health, and Prisma Health.
- Career Advancement: You can advance to roles like Clinical Documentation Specialist (earning an average of +$8,301 more), Healthcare Administrator (General) (+$14,438), or Clinical Auditor / Utilization Reviewer (+$9,331).
2. Cancer Registrar
A Cancer Registrar is a data information specialist who collects and reports cancer statistics. You’ll capture a complete history, diagnosis, treatment, and health status for cancer patients. This vital data provides essential information to researchers, healthcare providers, and public health officials, helping to monitor and advance cancer treatments, conduct research, and improve prevention and screening programs.
- Salary Range: Entry-level positions typically earn around $54,467, with a median salary of $74,338 and top earners reaching $95,600. The mean annual salary is $75,486.
- Demand & Growth: There is low demand with 24 active postings, and the field is projected to grow by 3.5%.
- Top Skills: Research, Scheduling, Customer Service, Computer Literacy, and Writing.
- Salary-Boosting Skills: Specialization in Oncology is a key skill to increase your pay.
- Certifications: Consider a Certified Outpatient Coder (COC) (33% of professionals hold this), Registered Nurse (RN) (4%), or American Registry Of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Certified (4%).
- Top Employers in South Carolina: HCA Healthcare, Lexington Medical Center, Tidelands Health, Irmo High School – School District Five Of Lexington & Richland Counties, South Carolina, and Baylor Scott & White Health.
- Career Advancement: Potential career paths include Oncology Registered Nurse (earning an average of +$44,085 more), Clinical Investigator (+$86,874), or Medical Dosimetrist (+$72,382).
3. Medical Coder
As a Medical Coder, you organize and review patient medical records, assigning specific codes for each diagnosis and treatment. You’ll prepare this coded information for use by health insurance providers or for research purposes, and may retrieve information for clinicians and billing offices within healthcare facilities.
- Salary Range: Entry-level Medical Coders earn around $47,961, with a median salary of $60,800 and top earners reaching $76,970. The mean annual salary is $61,138.
- Demand & Growth: There is medium demand with 338 active postings, and the field is projected to grow by 2.0%.
- Top Skills: Management, Communication, Detail Oriented, Microsoft Excel, and Computer Literacy.
- Salary-Boosting Skills: Strong skills in Inpatient Coding, adherence to AHIMA Standards Of Ethical Coding, and Outpatient Coding are highly valued.
- Certifications: Key certifications include Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) (54% of professionals hold this), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) (43%), and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) (36%).
- Top Employers in South Carolina: Datavant, Prisma Health, Lexington Medical Center, Baycare Health System, and Medical University of South Carolina.
- Career Advancement: You can advance to Medical Records / Coding Supervisor (earning an average of +$16,094 more), Clinical Documentation Specialist (+$24,395), or Clinical Data Analyst (+$17,813).
4. Medical Records / Health Information Technician
A Medical Records or Health Information Technician works with data from medical records to process, maintain, compile, analyze, and report patient information. Your work ensures compliance with health requirements and standards, consistent with the healthcare industry’s numerical coding system and reporting standards.
- Salary Range: Entry-level positions start around $42,801, with a median salary of $56,176 and top earners reaching $66,816. The mean annual salary is $58,596.
- Demand & Growth: There is medium demand with 144 active postings, and the field is projected to grow by 2.8%.
- Top Skills: Confidentiality, Customer Service, Writing, Administrative Functions, and English Language.
- Certifications: Relevant certifications include Release of Information (ROI) (24% of professionals hold this), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) (13%), and Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) (10%).
- Top Employers in South Carolina: Datavant, Intermountain Health, State of South Carolina, Advantmed, and Medical University of South Carolina.
- Career Advancement: Potential career paths include Clinical Data Analyst (earning an average of +$29,812 more), Medical Records / Coding Supervisor (+$28,093), or Medical Coder (+$11,999).
5. Contact Tracer
A Contact Tracer is a public health worker who identifies persons who may have come into contact with an infected individual. You’ll collect further information about these contacts with the aim of reducing infections in the population by tracing contacts, testing them, isolating or treating the infected, and tracing their contacts in turn.
- Salary Range: Entry-level Contact Tracers earn around $41,897, with a median salary of $56,460 and top earners reaching $71,579. The mean annual salary is $56,882.
- Demand & Growth: There is low demand with 41 active postings, and the field is projected to grow by 3.5%.
- Top Skills: Customer Service, Lifting Ability, Communication, Computer Literacy, and Operations.
- Certifications: Useful certifications include Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) (20% of professionals hold this), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) (15%), and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification (10%).
- Top Employers in South Carolina: Medical University of South Carolina, CVS Health, Labcorp, University of South Carolina, and Us Corporate Wellness.
- Career Advancement: You can advance to Patient Advocate / Navigator (earning an average of +$26,986 more), Health and Wellness Coach (+$8,541), or Health Educator (General) (+$12,375).
6. Medical Records Clerk
A Medical Records Clerk compiles, processes, and maintains medical records of hospital and clinic patients. You’ll ensure these records are consistent with the medical, administrative, ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements of the health care system.
- Salary Range: Entry-level positions earn around $39,394, with a median salary of $42,810 and top earners reaching $58,977. The mean annual salary is $45,641.
- Demand & Growth: There is medium demand with 157 active postings, and the field is projected to grow by 2.0%.
- Top Skills: Microsoft Excel, Ability To Meet Deadlines, Lifting Ability, Microsoft Office, and Leadership.
- Salary-Boosting Skills: Strong skills in Medical Records Scanning and Medical Records Release can enhance your compensation.
- Certifications: Consider obtaining a Valid Driver’s License (25% of professionals hold this), Release of Information (ROI) (13%), or Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA) (5%).
- Top Employers in South Carolina: Humana, Sharecare, Medical University of South Carolina, AppleOne, and HCA Healthcare.
- Career Advancement: Potential career paths include Medical Records / Health Information Technician (earning an average of +$8,207 more), Clinical Data Analyst (+$38,019), or Medical Records / Coding Supervisor (+$36,300).
Ready to explore these and other exciting career paths in South Carolina’s health information sector? Take the first step towards your future today!