RHIT vs RHIA: What’s the Difference (And Which One Actually Gets You Hired)?

If you’ve ever Googled “Is RHIA better than RHIT?” or “Should I go back to school for my RHIA?”—this post is for you.

Here’s the real talk:Both credentials matter—but not in the same way. One gets you in the room. The other can open more doors—but only if you know how to use it.

⚖️ What’s the Basic Difference?

RHIT	RHIA
Associate’s degree required	Bachelor’s degree required
Focuses on technical HIM tasks	Focuses on HIM leadership + systems
Strong for coding, data, ROI, registries	Strong for management, informatics, compliance
$55K–$75K avg pay	$75K–$105K+ avg pay
Entry to mid-level roles	Mid to advanced roles
Doesn’t qualify you for many manager/director titles	Often required for leadership or health informatics

🧠 Which One Gets You Hired Faster?

If your goal is to get a job fast, RHIT will almost always do the trick—especially for roles like:

• HIM Tech

• ROI Specialist

• Risk Adjustment Coder

• Data Abstractor

• Coding Auditor

• Revenue Cycle Analyst

• Compliance Reviewer

RHIT is enough for 80% of HIM roles, especially remote ones. What matters more is how you brand it on your resume.

But Long-Term? RHIA Can Open Doors

RHIA tells employers:

✅ “I understand leadership.”

✅ “I know systems and structure.”

✅ “I’m trained to manage people, not just data.”

If you want to move into:

• Health Informatics

• Information Governance

• HIM Director roles

• Privacy/Compliance

• Clinical Systems

• Project Management…you’ll likely hit a wall eventually without RHIA (or equivalent).

😩 But Don’t Get Caught in This Trap:

“I’ll just get my RHIA and everything will magically open up.”

No.

RHIA helps—but it’s not the golden ticket unless you pair it with experience, specialization, or strategy.

• RHIA + compliance = HIM audit jobs

• RHIA + informatics = Epic/clinical analyst roles

• RHIA + analytics = Health data careers

• RHIA + nothing else = Manager of an office for $72K in 2035

🔄 Should You Bridge from RHIT to RHIA?

Yes—IF:

• You want to move into leadership or informatics

• You enjoy system-level thinking

• You plan to stay in healthcare long-term

• You’re not in a rush, and you want to build something big

Maybe not—IF:

• You’re happy in coding or auditing

• You hate meetings, management, or politics

• You want to pivot out of HIM altogether (into UX, cyber, etc.)

• You’d rather stack skills and certs than go back to school

🛠️ Bottom Line:

If You Want To…	Choose
Land a remote coding, data, or billing role fast	RHIT
Move into leadership, systems, or higher-level analysis	RHIA
Stay technical and skill-based	RHIT + certs (CDIP, CHDA, etc.)
Lead teams, run systems, speak to execs	RHIA

💥 Final Thought:

RHIT is a strong foundation.RHIA is a longer-term investment.

But neither one will carry you unless you pair it with:

• Direction

• Strategy

• Specialized skill stacking

• Confidence in your resume + personal brand

Ready to Figure Out If RHIA Is Worth It (For You)?

Before you enroll in another program or drop thousands on a degree…Make sure it actually aligns with the career you want to build.

My HIM Career Clarity Bundle includes:

✅ A personalized Career Map showing which roles fit your current skills and long-term goals

✅ A full Skills Analysis so you know exactly what to highlight (or fix)

✅ A strategic Resume Revamp tailored to RHIT, RHIA, or transitional roles

✅ Cert guidance so you don’t waste time or money

📌 If you’re stuck asking:

“Do I go back for RHIA or just pivot now?”This bundle gives you a clear answer—and a plan.

🔗 Tap here to get the bundle or message me with questions. Let’s build your next move with confidence.