11 Health Informatics Careers for Master’s Graduates to Consider

Healthcare organizations increasingly rely on data and technology to deliver healthcare services effectively and efficiently. Professionals working in health informatics apply technology to health and medical data, leveraging tech tools to help healthcare organizations improve their patients’ health outcomes, secure their private health data, and streamline their operations.

The health informatics field is at the intersection of medicine and technology. Strong job growth is expected in the field in the coming years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Computer and information systems managers are projected to see 17% job growth from 2023 to 2033, while medical and health services managers are projected to see 29% job growth. 

With a master’s degree in health informatics, graduates can pursue any of the following opportunities in this dynamic field: 11 health informatics careers are introduced below.

What Is Health Informatics?

Health informatics is the science of using information technology (IT) to examine health and medical data to find ways to improve people’s health and the delivery of healthcare services. Informatics professionals in the healthcare industry organize electronic health records (EHRs), analyze clinical trial data, and process medical information to identify areas for improvement. 

Health informatics professionals in entry-level roles focus on collecting, storing, and organizing health records and other data, while those in more advanced roles analyze medical data to recommend policies and improve operations. Specialties within health informatics include public health informatics, clinical informatics, and nursing informatics. 

Effective health informatics systems can help organizations improve the delivery of healthcare services, increase efficiency in healthcare administration tasks, and improve patient care.

Health Informatics Skills

Informatics professionals need solid IT, data analytics, and cybersecurity skills. Those who work in healthcare also must have a deep understanding of the healthcare system, healthcare regulations, and clinical research. 

Here are some of the most important skills needed to work in health informatics:

• Data analytics: Health informatics professionals draw on their data analytics skills to evaluate health records, manage databases, and report IT information. Experience with systems analysis, data visualization, and analytics software also benefits these professionals.
• Data security: Maintaining the security of medical records, financial information, and other private data is critical for healthcare organizations. Careers in health informatics require a significant level of understanding of data privacy, including risk management and data vulnerabilities. 
• Regulatory compliance: Healthcare organizations need to remain compliant with complex laws and regulations, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Health informatics professionals need to be familiar with the many laws relevant to the industry. 
• Information technology: Because health informatics careers leverage IT to solve healthcare challenges, strong information technology skills are a job requirement. These roles require an understanding of database management and information systems management.

Trends Shaping Health Informatics

The field of health informatics continues to evolve. Health informatics professionals need to stay current as technology changes. Here are some trends impacting health informatics:

• Telemedicine: Expanding access to healthcare services through telemedicine requires a robust IT infrastructure and data security policies. Health informatics professionals can help ensure that healthcare organizations’ telehealth systems meet regulatory requirements and keep private information secure. They also help healthcare organizations update telemedicine services. 
• Big data analytics: Healthcare organizations collect an extensive amount of data on patients, including electronic health records, clinical trial results, and medical databases. Big data analytics can be used to improve preventive care services, healthcare delivery, and healthcare research. In fields such as public health, big data tools also can be used to identify population-level health trends and infectious disease threats. 
• Artificial intelligence (AI): AI continues to transform health informatics by providing new tools to automate tasks and analyze data. Techniques such as predictive analytics can help healthcare providers identify high-risk patients and improve their care. In fields such as medical imaging, AI algorithms can aid early detection of abnormalities, while the technology’s pattern recognition capacity may make it easier for healthcare providers to create personalized treatment plans. 

11 Health Informatics Careers: Descriptions and Salary Data

Careers in health informatics generally offer high salaries, with reporting showing that many entry-level occupations have median salaries in the $76,000 to $85,000 range and many management-level occupations have six-figure median salaries.

Health informatics professionals hold many different job titles, including specialist, analyst, and manager.

With experience or a master’s degree, informatics specialists can move into management-level roles to increase their responsibilities and earning potential. At the top levels, chief medical information officers and other executives manage complex information systems for healthcare organizations.

This section introduces 11 health informatics careers, including salary data, job responsibilities, and related job titles for each.

1. Health Informatics Specialist

Median salary: $76,290 (March 2024, Payscale)

Health informatics specialists operate technology systems in healthcare organizations. They ensure that healthcare record systems comply with regulations and privacy laws. Health informatics specialists also communicate technical information to healthcare professionals and staff. 

Some health informatics specialists focus on implementing new systems to manage patient records and other healthcare data. They often train staff on how to use the system, including maintaining security protocols. 

Health informatics specialists need skills in areas such as:

• Secure networks and cybersecurity
• Health data regulations
• Communication

These roles typically require a bachelor’s degree in health informatics, information technology, or a related field. However, earning a master’s degree can help prepare individuals with advanced informatics skills needed for advancement.

Related job titles:

• Health informatics analyst
• Health informaticist
• Implementation support specialist

2. Healthcare Privacy Analyst

Median salary: $84,580 (December 2024, Payscale)

Healthcare privacy analysts ensure the security of private medical information and financial records. Drawing on information security best practices, they oversee security protection programs for healthcare organizations. Their tasks may include designing and implementing data privacy systems, training staff on data security, and responding to data breaches. 

Healthcare organizations rely on privacy analysts to protect sensitive information and comply with regulations such as HIPAA. 

Healthcare privacy analysts need skills in areas such as:

• Cybersecurity and information technology
• Health data privacy regulations
• Communication

Healthcare privacy analysts typically must hold a bachelor’s degree and bring experience in healthcare IT and cybersecurity. A master’s degree or a professional certification such as the certified healthcare privacy and security credential can be beneficial for privacy analysts. 

Related job titles:

• Healthcare data privacy specialist
• Compliance analyst
• HIPAA privacy analyst

3. Clinical Informatics Analyst

Median salary: $85,920 (January 2025, Payscale)

Clinical informatics analysts recommend data-driven policies to improve organizations’ healthcare operations and information management. They evaluate their organization’s healthcare data to identify problems and recommend changes. Some informatics analysts focus on medical records management, designing and implementing management systems. 

Clinical informatics analysts need skills in areas such as:

• Health data analytics and information management
• Data privacy regulations
• Communication

A bachelor’s degree meets the minimum education requirement for clinical informatics analyst roles. Professional experience or a master’s degree can help clinical information analysts advance in their careers. 

Related job titles:

• Health informatics analyst
• Informatics nurse
• Clinical informatics specialist

4. Clinical Project Manager

Median salary: $98,310 (January 2025, Payscale)

Clinical project managers oversee clinical trials for healthcare and research organizations. They analyze data from clinical trials to recommend policies that improve efficiency or address challenges. Clinical project managers also coordinate with clinical researchers and other staff, and their responsibilities include following regulations. 

Healthcare project managers need skills in areas such as:

• Healthcare data analytics
• Quality management and risk management
• Communication and leadership

These roles require at least a bachelor’s degree and work experience in clinical trials. Employers may prefer to hire candidates with a master’s degree. 

Related job titles:

• Healthcare project manager
• Healthcare project coordinator
• Healthcare quality manager

5. Health IT Project Manager

Median salary: $100,980 (July 2022, Payscale)

Health IT project managers coordinate information technology projects for healthcare organizations. They plan improvements to informatics systems, ensure that team members complete work on schedule, and deliver complete projects. Health IT project managers rely on their project management and health informatics knowledge to complete tasks. 

Health IT project managers need skills in areas such as:

• Informatics systems management
• IT infrastructure
• Leadership and communication

Health IT project manager roles require a bachelor’s degree, though some employers may prefer to hire candidates with a master’s degree.

Related job titles:

• Clinical project manager
• Healthcare quality manager
• EHR project manager

6. Health Information Systems Manager

Median salary: $105,783 (March 2025, ZipRecruiter)

Health information systems managers oversee healthcare organizations’ health information systems, which can include health data software and information collection systems. They plan systems to meet an organization’s information management needs and implement new systems, including training staff. 

This health informatics career requires a deep understanding of data analytics and information reporting systems. 

Healthcare information systems managers need skills in areas such as:

• Healthcare data analytics
• Information technology and database management
• Communication and leadership

As they have a senior role in health informatics, health information systems managers typically need to have at least a bachelor’s degree and several years of work experience in information systems management. Employers may prefer candidates with a master’s degree.

Related job titles:

• Clinical informatics manager
• Health information systems director
• Health IT manager

7. Clinical Informatics Manager

Median salary: $105,650 (March 2024, Payscale)

Clinical informatics managers plan and manage clinical informatics programs for healthcare organizations. Using their data analytics skills, they recommend and implement plans to improve their organization’s efficiency. Clinical informatics managers work closely with data quality and information security professionals to maintain accuracy standards and follow data security regulations.

These roles also require management skills, as clinical informatics managers often oversee a team of informatics specialists and analysts. 

Clinical informatics managers need skills in areas such as:

• Clinical data interpretation
• Data information systems management
• Collaboration and communication

Clinical informatics managers need to have a bachelor’s degree and several years of clinical informatics experience. Employers may prefer to hire candidates with a master’s degree and a clinical background.

Related job titles:

• Healthcare informatics consultant
• Clinical data manager
• Director of clinical informatics

8. Director of Health Informatics

Median salary: $117,280 (March 2025, ZipRecruiter)

Directors of health informatics blend their technical and administrative expertise to oversee informatics systems in many different types of healthcare settings. They manage health informatics teams, identify areas for improvement, and implement new data management systems. 

Health informatics directors work closely with informatics specialists, healthcare providers, and healthcare administrators. 

Directors of health informatics need skills in areas such as:

• Data management systems
• Healthcare quality improvement
• Leadership and communication

Health informatics directors need to have at least a bachelor’s degree, and many hold a master’s degree. These senior roles also require extensive experience in health informatics. 

Related job titles:

• Health informatics supervisor
• Director of medical informatics
• Director of clinical informatics

9. Health Informatics Consultant

Median salary: $127,950 (March 2025, ZipRecruiter)

Health informatics consultants recommend informatics systems, policies, and practices to healthcare organizations. They conduct audits to determine the organization’s information management needs and current informatics practices. These consultants then recommend solutions, including updated regulatory practices, IT training, or new informatics systems. 

Health informatics consultants need skills in areas such as:

• Data management systems
• Regulatory compliance
• Collaboration and communication

Healthcare consultant roles generally require a bachelor’s degree, though many consultants hold a graduate degree. They also require experience with informatics systems and data management practices.

Related job titles:

• Clinical informatics consultant
• Medical records consultant
• Hospital informatics consultant

10. Chief Compliance Officer

Median salary: $135,720 (January 2025, Payscale)

Chief compliance officers are responsible for regulatory compliance at healthcare organizations. As the top executives in charge of compliance, they evaluate their organization’s compliance policies, conduct audits to identify gaps in its regulatory compliance practices, and report on its operational compliance. 

The duties of chief compliance officers in healthcare include creating compliance standards on medical records privacy for their organization. They also resolve compliance issues. 

Chief compliance officers need skills in areas such as:

• Regulatory compliance 
• Risk management
• Leadership and communication

Chief compliance officers need a bachelor’s degree, and many hold a graduate-level degree. A background in healthcare regulations, informatics, and auditing benefits chief compliance officers. 

Related job titles:

• Director of compliance
• Compliance manager
• Chief compliance and privacy officer

11. Chief Medical Information Officer

Median salary: $274,590 (March 2025, ZipRecruiter)

Chief medical information officers oversee the use of medical information in healthcare organizations. They develop and implement IT plans for their organization, manage its IT infrastructure and security, and oversee its compliance policies. Chief medical information officers work closely with members of the executive team, clinical staff, and informatics specialists. 

Chief medical information officers need skills in areas such as:

• IT strategic planning
• Medical information security
• Leadership and collaboration

This executive-level healthcare informatics career requires a bachelor’s degree, though many in the role hold a master’s degree or higher. Chief medical information officers also need to have experience in informatics, information technology, and healthcare management.

Related job titles:

• Director of health informatics
• Chief technology officer
• Chief information officer

Earn an Executive Master’s in Health Informatics at New England College

New England College offers a hybrid Executive Master of Science in Health Informatics program. Designed for working professionals with either a master’s degree or three years of work experience, the program helps healthcare leaders, clinicians, and tech professionals build the informatics knowledge and skills they need to advance. 

Students can gain proficiency in health informatics management, database design, and healthcare project management. The program also covers emerging trends such as AI in healthcare, healthcare data visualization, and data mining architecture. 

Find out how NEC can help you advance in your health informatics career.