Occupational Therapy Assistant
Legacy Healthcare Services, Inc. – Columbus, OH
How much does a CMS Specialist make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a CMS Specialist in the United States is $56,817 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.
However, a CMS Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:
CMS Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $64,202 | $5,350 | $1,235 | $31 |
| Average | $56,817 | $4,735 | $1,093 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,673 | $4,306 | $994 | $25 |
A CMS Specialist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a CMS Specialist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| CMS Specialist | less than 1 year | $55,279 |
| Client Service Specialist II | 1-2 years | $64,016 |
| Client Service Specialist III | 2-4 years | $75,542 |
| Client Service Specialist IV | 5-8 years | $102,158 |
| Customer Service Team Leader | over 8 years | $62,787 |
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract CMS Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Understanding how a CMS Specialist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $64,202 | $5,350 | $1,235 | $31 |
| Average | $56,817 | $4,735 | $1,093 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,673 | $4,306 | $994 | $25 |
Salaries for a CMS Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $44,616 in 2023 to around $44,913 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of CMS Specialist salary trends, click here.
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $44,616 |
| 2024 | $45,084 |
| 2025 | $44,913 |
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The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for CMS Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 45% above the market median.
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