How Much Does a Patient Access Specialist Make in 2025?
Patient access specialists gather information on patients, confirm insurance, and obtain necessary consents before registering them. They coordinate intake and bed assignments, answer inquiries, provide policy explanations, and input data. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that medical records specialists, including patient access specialists, will see a growth of 9% over the next 10 years.
As demand grows, salaries are increasing. According to our report, the average patient access specialist earns $39,686 per year, as of July 24, 2025. However, pay varies by experience, industry, location, and certifications, which will be discussed later.
What is the Average Patient Access Specialist's Salary?
As of July 24, 2025, the average patient access specialist salary in the United States is $39,686 per year. For the hourly wage, patient access specialists have an average salary of $19 per hour, with rates ranging from $16 to $22 per hour.
2025 Patient Access Specialist Average Salary: $39,686 per year ($19 per hour)
Meanwhile, the average weekly and monthly salaries for a patient access specialist are $763 and $3,307, respectively.
What is the Pay Range for a Patient Access Specialist?
According to a recent Salary.com report, the salary range for this job title starts at $33,011 and can reach as high as $45,368 per year, with most earnings falling between $36,192 and $42,660 per year.
However, as noted earlier, the salary range for patient access specialists varies based on factors such as education, experience level, and location.
Patient Access Specialist Salary Range: $33,011 to $45,368 per year ($16 to $22 per hour)
| Percentile | By Hour | By Week | By Month | By Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $16 | $635 | $2,751 | $33,011 |
| 25th | $17 | $696 | $3,016 | $36,192 |
| 50th (Median) | $19 | $763 | $3,307 | $39,686 |
| 75th | $21 | $820 | $3,555 | $42,660 |
| 90th | $22 | $872 | $3,781 | $45,368 |
Patient Access Specialist Salary Factors
Several factors influence a patient access specialist's salary, including education, location, experience, and skills. Below is a breakdown of each factor and its impact on earnings.
Years of Experience
The average salary for patient access specialists varies by experience, ranging from $38,781 per year for entry-level positions to $42,073 per year for those with over eight years of experience.
| Levels | Years of Experience | Average Salary per year |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level Patient Access Specialist | <1 | $38,781 |
| Intermediate Level Patient Access Specialist | 1-2 | $39,885 |
| Senior Relationship Manager | 2-4 | $41,679 |
| Specialist Level Patient Access Specialist | 5-8 | $41,942 |
| Expert Level Patient Access Specialist | 8+ | $42,073 |
Place of Work
The industry or workplace of a patient access specialist can significantly impact their salary. While the BLS does not provide specific data for this role, comparable medical records technician roles offer useful insights.
For instance, in 2024, performance security and compliance in management firms correlated with higher salaries. Those in management of companies and enterprises earned $60,750 per year, while those in hospitals (state, local, and private) earned $56,520.
| Place of work | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Management of companies and enterprises | $60,750 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | $56,520 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | $49,970 |
| Administrative and support services | $49,590 |
Patient Access Specialist Salary by City and State
The location of a patient access specialist can impact on their salary. This information is valuable for analyzing salary trends, negotiating pay, or planning a career in the industry.
Highest Paying States for Patient Access Specialist
Based on Salary.com compensation data, the District of Columbia offers the highest average salary for patient access specialists in the United States, at $43,943 per year, followed by California at $43,776.
Before proceeding with any career move, it's helpful to evaluate where these roles are in highest demand.
District of Columbia: $43,943
California: $43,776
Massachusetts: $43,193
Washington: $43,034
New Jersey: $43,018
Patient Access Specialist Salary by State
| State/Territory | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $42,962 |
| Alabama | $36,458 |
| Arkansas | $35,851 |
| Arizona | $38,670 |
| California | $43,776 |
| Colorado | $40,493 |
| Connecticut | $42,414 |
| District of Columbia | $43,943 |
| Delaware | $40,191 |
| Florida | $37,550 |
| Georgia | $38,277 |
| Hawaii | $41,481 |
| Iowa | $37,979 |
| Idaho | $37,046 |
| Illinois | $40,453 |
| Indiana | $38,094 |
| Kansas | $37,789 |
| Kentucky | $37,344 |
| Louisiana | $37,733 |
| Massachusetts | $43,193 |
| Maryland | $40,921 |
| Maine | $38,694 |
| Michigan | $39,083 |
| Minnesota | $40,612 |
| Missouri | $37,705 |
| Mississippi | $35,390 |
| Montana | $37,467 |
| North Carolina | $37,713 |
| North Dakota | $39,202 |
| Nebraska | $37,388 |
| New Hampshire | $40,121 |
| New Jersey | $43,018 |
| New Mexico | $36,756 |
| Nevada | $39,278 |
| New York | $42,192 |
| Ohio | $38,642 |
| Oklahoma | $36,693 |
| Oregon | $40,302 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,508 |
| Rhode Island | $41,148 |
| South Carolina | $37,185 |
| South Dakota | $36,065 |
| Tennessee | $37,086 |
| Texas | $38,710 |
| Utah | $38,003 |
| Virginia | $39,964 |
| Vermont | $38,952 |
| Washington | $43,034 |
| Wisconsin | $39,039 |
| West Virginia | $35,736 |
| Wyoming | $38,059 |
Highest Paying Cities for Patient Access Specialists
Salary.com data shows that San Jose, California offers the highest pay for patient access specialists at $50,062 per year. The top six highest-paying cities for Patient Access Specialists are:
San Jose, California: $50,062
San Francisco, California: $49,569
Oakland, California: $48,469
New York, New York: $45,996
Queens Village, New York: $45,698
Paramus, New Jersey: $45,380
Ways to Increase Your Salary as a Patient Access Specialist
Patient access specialists can boost their salary by gaining experience, developing in-demand skills, and advancing within their roles.
Gain industry experience: More experience in managing patient records, including insurance confirmation leads to higher pay. Entry-level patient access specialists earn about $38,781 per year, while those with 8+ years make around $42,073 per year, according to Salary.com reports. Stay informed and ready to respond to changing industry requirements or patient needs to remain competitive. To boost salary growth, you may be completing training certifications, learning new software systems, or even transitioning to supervisory roles.
Negotiate your compensation: Know the average salary for your role and location. Show how you help the company grow and ask for a raise. As of July 24, 2025, the average patient access specialist salary in the United States is $39,686 per year. Keep track of your career progress and regularly assess whether you're completing the action items needed to move into higher-paying roles.
Work in the high-paying industry: Some industries and cities offer higher salaries than others. Consider moving into management of companies and enterprises, as these fields often provide better compensation. According to BLS, they offer as much as $60,750 per year.
Average National Salaries by Source
As of July 24, 2025, data from five major salary-reporting websites indicate that the national average salary for patient access specialists in the United States is $94,042.4 (unweighted).
SALARY.COM AVG. SALARY
$39,686 year
INDEED.COM AVG. SALARY
$39,964/ year
GLASSDOOR AVG. SALARY
$48,000/ year
PAYSCALE AVG. SALARY
$46,947/ year
ZIPRECRUITER AVG. SALARY
$43,931/ year
