Post job

What is a document management specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
introduction image

Document Management Specialists are employed by an organization to manage all of their documents and records electronically. They develop and implement the organization's document management systems and related processes. The specialists create policies and procedures that aid in capturing, storing, retrieving, sharing, and destroying electronic records and documents.

They assess existing systems and procedures to determine their effectiveness and efficiency. This assessment helps them determine if there is a need for updating them. It can also help them identify the requirements of various departments in managing their documents. Also, they ensure the organization's document management systems and procedures comply with necessary laws and regulations.

To be this specialist, you need a bachelor's degree in systems management or a related field. Your success largely depends on the skills you possess, which must include analytical, organization, communication, and technical skills. A document management specialist earns an average salary of $41,883 a year.

ScoreDocument Management SpecialistUS Average
Salary
5.6

Avg. Salary $71,208

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.8

Growth rate 11%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.1
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.51%

Asian 11.99%

Black or African American 6.24%

Hispanic or Latino 8.82%

Unknown 4.70%

White 67.73%

Gender

female 66.01%

male 33.99%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
5.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
5.3

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Document management specialist career paths

Key steps to become a document management specialist

  1. Explore document management specialist education requirements

    Most common document management specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    52.3 %

    Associate

    20.3 %

    High School Diploma

    10.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific document management specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Clinical Documentation20.13%
    Patients19.42%
    SharePoint7.33%
    PowerPoint5.84%
    Windows4.91%
  3. Complete relevant document management specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New document management specialists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a document management specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real document management specialist resumes.
  4. Research document management specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Manage all incoming Medicaid claims to ensure that patients are being cover under the correct plan.
    • Manage medical records with Cerner electronic medical record program.
    • Manage medical transcription and deficiencies, guiding physicians toward chart completion.
    • Manage SharePoint assignments for distribution and preparation to facilitate accuracy and adherence to establish productivity standards.
  5. Prepare your document management specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your document management specialist resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a document management specialist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable document management specialist resume templates

    Build a professional document management specialist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your document management specialist resume.
    Document Management Specialist Resume
    Document Management Specialist Resume
    Document Management Specialist Resume
    Document Management Specialist Resume
    Document Management Specialist Resume
    Document Management Specialist Resume
    Document Management Specialist Resume
    Document Management Specialist Resume
    Document Management Specialist Resume
  6. Apply for document management specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a document management specialist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first document management specialist job

Zippi

Are you a document management specialist?

Share your story for a free salary report.

Average document management specialist salary

The average document management specialist salary in the United States is $71,208 per year or $34 per hour. Document management specialist salaries range between $51,000 and $99,000 per year.

Average document management specialist salary
$71,208 Yearly
$34.23 hourly

What am I worth?

salary-calculator

How do document management specialists rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Document management specialist reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

Expressing and detailing the facts about a defect or incident is challenging. I had to use all senses to arrive at a factual conclusion. It is satisfying and rewarding when you arrive at the truth and root of the matter.

Cons

Deception and non cooperation throws a wrench into you efforts.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019
Pros

The position lets me use my skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. My original training was as a newspaper copy-editor, a "dying" field. Document Control in biotech gave me the opportunity to use those skills in a field which is growing and which pays better.

Cons

Biotech field is volatile. Most other departments have high changeover in personnel. Frequent changes in policy / expectations due to changes in management and ownership. The company I work for has been bought and sold twice to larger companies in my fifteen years here.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2019
Pros

You get bits of information about many fields and across departments

Cons

There is no room for careless mistakes


Working as a document management specialist? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall rating*
Career growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Browse computer and mathematical jobs