Advanced degrees and credentials literally pay off for health IT professionals. Additional credentials such as certifications, in fact, roughly double the chances professionals have of earning an annual salary greater than $130,000, according to a new survey from the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Bisk Education, and HIMSS.

While 29 percent of survey respondents said they make more than $130,000 annually, only 12 percent without credentials rank in that category. Women lead in the realm of furthering education, with 232 reporting additional credentials compared with 150 male survey respondents, the survey said. 

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The majority of health IT professionals earn salaries greater than $80,000 per year, the study found, and 140 survey respondents said they were very satisfied with their career in health informatics compared with only 18 describing themselves as very dissatisfied,.

The survey included 404 health IT professionals from 7 countries and 42 U.S. states. There is a correlation between the level of education and job satisfaction: Professionals with advanced degrees (master’s and doctorates) are more likely to be very satisfied (89 respondents) or at least somewhat satisfied (55) with their career choice, compared with people who are very dissatisfied (4), the survey determined.

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Of the 404 survey respondents, 303 reported unique job titles. The potential exists to categorically break down job titles and discover how the different categories correlate with income and education, the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine said; however, there is a larger narrative here concerning the profession’s many niches, which require professionals with a wide range of skills and backgrounds.

Health IT professionals overwhelmingly see career growth over the next five years: 337 survey respondents believe their career will continue to grow, compared with only 41 who do not.

Twitter: @SiwickiHealthIT