Relationship between accreditation status and hourly wages of medical record technicians

Using data from a 1975 hospital wage survey conducted by the Industry Wage Division of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the relationship between accreditation status and hourly wages of 590 female full-time medical record technicians (MRTs) in four metropolitan areas was examined. Through multiple regression analysis, the hourly wages of Accredited Record Technicians were found to be $0.62 greater than those not accredited. Job location and hospital funding source also were related strongly to MRT hourly wages. Only 35 percent of the MRT's studied were accredited. These data reveal the willingness of employers to hire MRT's not accredited, while being willing to pay a premium for accreditation.