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What is a records specialist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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A records specialist manages and organizes company records. These specialists maintain accurate and updated records, ensuring these records are easily accessible for authorized personnel in a variety of industries. Records specialists may also be responsible for developing and implementing record-keeping policies and procedures, training staff on proper record-keeping practices, and overseeing the secure disposal of confidential records. A successful records specialist must possess strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and knowledge of data management software.

ScoreRecords SpecialistUS Average
Salary
2.6

Avg. Salary $33,273

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.8

Growth rate 11%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.2
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.26%

Asian 8.48%

Black or African American 8.93%

Hispanic or Latino 17.48%

Unknown 4.20%

White 59.65%

Gender

female 70.21%

male 29.79%

Age - 46
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 - 46
Stress level
4.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.1

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
8.6

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a records specialist?

Pros

  • Competitive salaries and benefits due to high demand for records specialists

  • Potential for career advancement

  • Opportunities for continuous learning and development

  • Ability to work independently with potential for flexible scheduling

  • Exposure to different types of technology and software

Cons

  • Repetitive tasks can become monotonous

  • Can be stressful when working with sensitive information

  • May require long hours during peak periods

  • Can be physically demanding, sitting for prolonged periods of time or lifting file boxes

  • May require working with outdated or difficult-to-use technology

Records specialist career paths

Key steps to become a records specialist

  1. Explore records specialist education requirements

    Most common records specialist degrees

    Bachelor's

    47.1 %

    Associate

    25.1 %

    High School Diploma

    14.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific records specialist skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Customer Service25.16%
    Data Entry13.85%
    Office Equipment5.49%
    Word Processing5.48%
    Database Systems5.32%
  3. Complete relevant records specialist training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New records 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 records specialist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real records specialist resumes.
  4. Gain additional records specialist certifications

    Records specialist certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific records specialist certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for records specialists include Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) and Certified Records Manager (CRM).

    More About Certifications
  5. Research records specialist duties and responsibilities

    • Develop numerous SQL scripts/queries for monitoring and managing the system.
    • Manage thousands of cases for several firms with deadlines for depositions while ensuring accuracy, confidentiality, and HIPAA compliance.
    • Train and mentore employees in EDMS.
    • Process project records for retention in EDMS.
  6. Prepare your records specialist resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your records 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 records 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 records specialist resume templates

    Build a professional records 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 records specialist resume.
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  7. Apply for records specialist jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a records 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 records specialist job

Zippi

Are you a records specialist?

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Average records specialist salary

The average records specialist salary in the United States is $33,273 per year or $16 per hour. Records specialist salaries range between $26,000 and $42,000 per year.

Average records specialist salary
$33,273 Yearly
$16.00 hourly

What am I worth?

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How do records specialists rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Records specialist reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2023
Cons

Not have work to do.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Cons

It is very, very, boring and repetitive. I hate sitting for hours on end, sometimes with nothing to do if the officers are not doing anything. This is no chance or advancement.


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A zippia user wrote a review on Aug 2019
Cons

Being taken over by computers, job is going away office staff is becoming smaller and smaller or out sourced to 3rd party companies.


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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.

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