Salaries within the health IT industry are up seven percent from last year as the need for more advanced technology becomes increasingly vital, according to HealthITJobs.com’s 2016 Health IT Salary and Report.
The average health IT employee makes approximately $93,000, with an annual bonus of $7,603, the report found. But while about half of the respondents are satisfied with their salary, many feel they should be making about $15,000 more.
What’s even more notable is that the health IT industry is no different than other jobs when it comes to gender and race pay gaps. The report found men earn 14 percent more than women and are more likely to hold higher positions within an organization. Further, minorities make between approximately $3,000 and $15,000 less than their white counterparts.
Those employees without any certifications are more likely to earn less than $75,000, while those with four or more certifications are more likely to earn $100,000 or more, according to the report.
Additionally, executives hold the highest average health IT salaries at about $171,000 with an average bonus of $27,500.
Those IT professionals who have spent their entire careers in the health industry make more on average. And for the third year in a row, it’s project management positions with the highest average salary. The report also found consulting companies pay nearly 14 percent more than the second-highest paying employer - software companies.
“As the healthcare industry and technology continue to evolve, health IT professionals will be in higher demand,” HealthITJobs.com’s vice president Tim Cannon said in a statement. “Because these professionals bring such value to organizations, employers are willing to provide desirable compensation packages to attract and keep the best talent in the field.”
