The Ultimate Guide to Medical Coding Salary in 2023
Your salary as a medical coder depends on 3 things: your certifications, your level of experience, and your location. In this Ultimate Guide, we'll explore what affects your medical coding salary, and look at concrete steps you can take to secure the salary you deserve.
We'll take a look at the average salary for a CPC in the US ($59,605), what certs you can earn to grow your salary to $90,000 or more (CHFP, CDIP, and CPCO), and what states earn the highest medical coding salaries (Surprise! New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington D.C., California, and Hawaii).
We'll also look at how much medical coders make in each state, and which certifications you should not pursue if you're trying to increase your medical coding career potential.
Let's go!
What is Medical Billing and Coding?
Medical billing and coding is the process by which medical procedures are translated into healthcare codes and sent to the billing and insurance departments for reimbursement. In other words, it's what determines what you and your insurance company are billed when you go to the doctor or to the hospital. And it's a growing sector - with job growth projected to grow 8% between now and 2032 (and approximately 15,000 new positions opening up every year).
Medical billers and coders perform crucial roles in healthcare, providing crucial communication between patient services and financial reimbursement. And individuals with skills are in demand. Entry-level medical coders can demand salaries of $50-$60,000, and experienced coders can command up to $100,000 or more per year.
Read on to learn more about how much you can earn as a medical biller or medical coder, what certifications command the highest salaries, and how you and your career can benefit from the rising interest in medical coding.
What factors affect my medical coding salary potential?
Salaries in medical coding are influenced by:
- Certification: According to the AAPC, certified coders on average earn 27% more than non-certified peers. Salaries increase even more for coders with 2 or more certifications.
- Geographical Location: Salaries vary significantly by region and state, reflecting the cost of living and demand in the area.
- Experience and Education: Higher qualifications and experience levels generally lead to higher pay, with both professional certification and advanced credentials playing a role.
- Healthcare Settings: Depending on the specific setting in which they work, such as in healthcare facilities or in physician's offices, medical coders can earn higher salaries.
Depending on your certifications, years of experience, and the state and city you live in, you may have more opportunity to maximize your earning potential.
How much do medical coders make nationwide?
The average salary for medical coders in the United States is $51,090, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The can vary by certification, level of experience (entry-level to professional), as well as location and type of employer (hospital or physician's office).
| Percentile | Hourly Wage | Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | $15.25 | $31,710 |
| 25% | $18.04 | $37,510 |
| 50% (Median) | $22.69 | $47,180 |
| 75% | $28.93 | $60,170 |
| 90% | $36.28 | $75,460 |
(Source: BLS, 2023)
What Medical Coding Certifications Earn the Highest Salaries?
Depending on your certification, you'll be qualified to work within certain settings or with certain types of specialties, or even manage entire practices.
Below are the average annual salaries for billers and coders with various types of certifications.
(And don't fret! Most coders start out with a single certification, then acquire more as they figure out where they want to grow their medical coding career.)
For Entry-Level Coders, CPCs and CRCs have the highest earnings right off the bat
| Abbrev. | Certification | Average Annual Salary | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPC | Certified Professional Coder | $59,605 | Salary.com |
| CCA | Certified Coding Associate | $48,321 | Cincinnati State |
| CCS | Certified Coding Specialist | $57,500 | Velvetjobs |
| CBCS | Certified Billing and Coding Specialist | $50,100 | Glassdoor - CBCS Salary |
| CPB | Certified Professional Biller | $57,880 | Glassdoor |
| COC | Certified Outpatient Coder | $55,047 | Glassdoor |
| CIC | Certified Inpatient Coder | $57,834 | Glassdoor |
| CRC | Certified Risk Adjustment Coder | $60,229 | Salary.com |
| CPMS | Certified Professional Medical Scribe | $38,148 | Salary.com |
| CHDA | Certified Health Data Analyst | $69,797 | PayScale |
For Coders with Experience, advanced certifications can raise your salary to $80,000 or more
As you progress in your career, you'll earn advanced certifications, depending on how you'd like to grow your career path.
Holders of certs like the CDIP (Certified Document Improvement Professional) and CPPM (Certified Physician Practice Manager) earn between $70 and $90,000 on average.
| Certification | Avg Annual Salary | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA) | $71,041 | Glassdoor |
| Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCO) | $86,550 | Glassdoor |
| Certified Documentation Improvement Practitioner (CDIP) | $92,006 | ZipRecruiter |
| Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFP) | $87,563 | ZipRecruiter |
| Certified Physician Practice Manager (CPPM) | $75,699 | AAPC |
| Certified Documentation Expert Outpatient (CDEO) | $72,619 | AAPC |
| Certified Documentation Expert Inpatient (CDEI) | $58,730 | AAPC |
For Mid-Level Coders, earning a Coding Specialization can help increase your salary by $6000 or more:
One interesting thing in recent years has been the increase in specialization credentials for specific types of workplace coding.
For example, coders that work in orthopedic clinics and like it can earn their COSC (Certified Orthopedic Surgery Coder) with a few month's study, and increase their job scope and responsibilities, as well as their salary, by approximately $6000 a year.
| Certification | Average Annual Salary | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Certified Evaluation and Management Coder (CEMC) | $59,000 | Payscale CEMC |
| Certified Ambulatory Surgery Center Coder (CASCC) | $41,788 | Payscale CASCC |
| Certified Anesthesia and Pain Management Coder (CANPC) | $58,000 | AAPC |
| Certified Cardiology Coder (CCC) | $47,000 | Payscale |
| Certified Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery Coder (CCVTC) | $48,145 | DesertMedicalCareers |
| Certified Emergency Department Coder (CEDC) | $64,000 | Payscale |
| Certified Family Practice Coder (CFPC) | $44,000 | Payscale |
| Certified Gastroenterology Coder (CGIC) | $55,000 | Payscale |
| Certified General Surgery Coder (CGSC) | $54,493 | Salary.com |
| Certified Hematology and Oncology Coder (CHONC) | $51,878 | Indeed |
| Certified Interventional Radiology Cardiovascular Coder (CIRCC) | $50,000 | Payscale |
| Certified Obstetrics Gynecology Coder (COBGC) | $66,500 | Payscale |
| Certified Ophthalmology Coder (COPC) | $55,114 | ZipRecruiter |
| Certified Orthopedic Surgery Coder (COSC) | $63,824 | ZipRecruiter |
| Certified Professional Coder in Dermatology (CPCD) | $57,250 | Glassdoor |
| Certified Pediatrics Coder (CPEDC) | $53,489 | AccreditedSchools |
| Certified Rheumatology Coder (CRHC) | $49356 | Salary.com |
| Certified Urology Coder (CUC) | $64,000 | Glassdoor |
| Clinical Coding Professional - Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (CCP-KSA) | SAR 30,000 (Approx. $8,000 USD) | Payscale CCP-KSA |
How does my work setting affect my coding salary?
The place where you work also affects your coding salary. Coders who work in Hospitals or in Office Administrative settings earn on average more than their peers in physician's offices.
Regardless of setting, however, top medical coders can make significantly more than their peers (up to 20% more, in some cases).
| Industry | Average annual salary |
|---|---|
| Hospitals | $54,210 |
| Physician offices | $42,800 |
| Healthcare management companies | $54,880 |
| Skilled Nursing Facilities | $44,350 |
| Medical Payroll Services | $51,060 |
| Office Administrative Services | $ 57,950 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $ 53,520 |
| Insurance Agencies | $ 64,800 |
(Source: BLS 2023)
How much do medical coders earn in my state?
Medical coding and billing salaries also vary by state.
Lucky coders in states like New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington D.C., and Hawaii enjoy average salaries that are higher than their peers in other states.
Read below to see how medical coding salary looks like in your state:
| State | Total Employment | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Wage | Median Hourly Wage | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 2,530 | $19.35 | $40,250 | $17.88 | $37,190 |
| Alaska | 1,350 | $27.02 | $56,210 | $24.66 | $51,290 |
| Arizona | 4,040 | $21.93 | $45,610 | $20.12 | $41,850 |
| Arkansas | 1,760 | $19.43 | $40,410 | $17.05 | $35,460 |
| California | 21,590 | $31.66 | $65,850 | $27.36 | $56,900 |
| Colorado | 2,340 | $25.68 | $53,410 | $24.04 | $50,000 |
| Connecticut | 1,590 | $29.04 | $60,410 | $29.04 | $60,390 |
| Delaware | 440 | $22.78 | $47,380 | $22.05 | $45,870 |
| District of Columbia | 250 | $30.64 | $63,740 | $29.88 | $62,140 |
| Florida | 14,980 | $22.75 | $47,320 | $21.42 | $44,560 |
| Georgia | 4,930 | $22.69 | $47,200 | $20.17 | $41,950 |
| Hawaii | 680 | $29.42 | $61,190 | $30.60 | $63,650 |
| Idaho | 1,460 | $23.11 | $48,060 | $22.38 | $46,550 |
| Illinois | 5,460 | $24.74 | $51,450 | $23.32 | $48,510 |
| Indiana | 3,670 | $23.50 | $48,890 | $22.22 | $46,220 |
| Iowa | 2,420 | $22.69 | $47,180 | $22.40 | $46,590 |
| Kansas | 1,840 | $21.62 | $44,970 | $20.89 | $43,440 |
| Kentucky | 4,210 | $21.72 | $45,180 | $20.50 | $42,640 |
| Louisiana | 2,250 | $23.02 | $47,870 | $22.51 | $46,830 |
| Maine | 1,240 | $23.66 | $49,220 | $22.82 | $47,470 |
| Maryland | 3,390 | $27.86 | $57,940 | $26.40 | $54,900 |
| Massachusetts | 3,500 | $28.16 | $58,580 | $25.30 | $52,620 |
| Michigan | 4,070 | $22.08 | $45,920 | $20.50 | $42,630 |
| Minnesota | 3,190 | $27.56 | $57,320 | $24.91 | $51,810 |
| Mississippi | 2,020 | $18.98 | $39,470 | $17.67 | $36,750 |
| Missouri | 3,520 | $23.57 | $49,020 | $23.11 | $48,070 |
| Montana | 660 | $22.62 | $47,050 | $21.74 | $45,220 |
| Nebraska | 1,360 | $22.41 | $46,620 | $21.87 | $45,490 |
| Nevada | 1,270 | $22.56 | $46,920 | $21.50 | $44,720 |
| New Hampshire | 840 | $23.92 | $49,750 | $22.15 | $46,080 |
| New Jersey | 1,470 | $32.93 | $68,500 | $31.14 | $64,760 |
| New Mexico | 1,000 | $21.42 | $44,550 | $20.12 | $41,850 |
| New York | 9,130 | $26.63 | $55,400 | $25.38 | $52,790 |
| North Carolina | 4,670 | $22.67 | $47,150 | $21.22 | $44,130 |
| North Dakota | 420 | $25.54 | $53,130 | $24.23 | $50,400 |
| Ohio | 5,420 | $23.55 | $48,990 | $22.39 | $46,580 |
| Oklahoma | 1,600 | $20.25 | $42,120 | $18.70 | $38,890 |
| Oregon | 2,070 | $25.66 | $53,380 | $23.29 | $48,450 |
| Pennsylvania | 9,600 | $23.11 | $48,070 | $22.08 | $45,930 |
| Rhode Island | 590 | $24.35 | $50,650 | $23.64 | $49,180 |
| South Carolina | 2,160 | $22.24 | $46,260 | $20.68 | $43,010 |
| South Dakota | 1,130 | $23.86 | $49,640 | $22.84 | $47,500 |
| Tennessee | 3,260 | $21.81 | $45,370 | $20.24 | $42,100 |
| Texas | 19,750 | $21.48 | $44,680 | $19.47 | $40,500 |
| Utah | 1,610 | $22.77 | $47,360 | $21.69 | $45,120 |
| Vermont | 460 | $23.06 | $47,970 | $22.44 | $46,680 |
| Virginia | 3,500 | $23.96 | $49,840 | $22.77 | $47,360 |
| Washington | 2,500 | $28.08 | $58,410 | $25.62 | $53,280 |
| West Virginia | 1,050 | $19.39 | $40,330 | $18.24 | $37,940 |
| Wisconsin | 3,090 | $24.23 | $50,390 | $22.90 | $47,630 |
| Wyoming | 310 | $24.29 | $50,520 | $23.50 | $48,880 |
| Guam | 100 | $16.74 | $34,820 | $11.02 | $22,920 |
| Puerto Rico | 1,260 | $12.65 | $26,310 | $14.75 | $30,680 |
| Virgin Islands | 30 | $20.31 | $42,250 | $21.05 | $43,790 |
(Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023)
Conclusion: For a successful medical coding career, focus on your certifications
So what did we learn?
While states like New Jersey, California, Washington D.C., and Connecticut offer attractive average salaries for aspiring coders, the real difference in medical coding salaries comes from your certifications, with some earning over $80 and $90,000 on average.
By working hard and keeping an eye on your career growth, you can ensure a stable, rewarding, and lucrative career in medical billing and coding.
What credentials should I get as a new coder?
As an entry-level coder, focus on the CPC. It has the highest starting salary, and also offers the highest short- and long-term potential for growth with the AAPC's specialization credentials and advanced programs.
If you're an advanced coder, focus more on where you want to be long-term. Many paths are available to you, from becoming an Auditor, Practice Manager, Compliance Director, or moving more into Documentation with a CDIP, CDEO, or CDEI.
Whatever your direction, as the healthcare sector grows, demand for professionals with specialized knowledge in the healthcare system will grow as well. We hope this guide has helped you see how medical billing and coding can be an excellent choice for a stable and enjoyable long-term career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What state pays medical coders and medical billers the most?
Out of all the states (and somewhat of a surprise win!), coders in New Jersey earn the most, with an average salary of $68,500.
What are the highest paying states for medical coders?
New Jersey, Connecticut, California, Hawaii, and Washington D.C. are the highest paying states for coders, medical billers, and medical records specialists, with professionals earning more than $60,000 per year on average.
Coders and medical billers in Minnesota, Washington State, Massachusetts, and Maryland also do very well, with average annual salary data over $58,000 per year.
Can you make a lot of money as a medical coder?
Define a lot of money! As you can see above, medical coders make quite a good living, earning anywhere from $50,000 - $100,000 or more in their careers, depending on their certifications, years of experience, location, and industry.
How much does a medical coder make in Arkansas?
Medical billers and coders in Arkansas earn, on average, $40,410 per year as of 2023.
How much does a medical coder make in California?
Medical billers and coders in California earn, on average, $65,850 per year as of 2023.
How much does a medical coder make in Texas?
Certified medical coders and medical billers in Texas earn, on average, $44,680 per year as of 2023.
How much does a medical coder make in Florida?
Coding specialists and medical billers and coders in Florida earn, on average, $47,320 per year as of 2023.
How much does a medical coder make in Tennessee?
Medical billers and coders and health information specialists in Tennessee earn, on average, $45,370 per year as of 2023.
How much does a medical coder make in Mississippi?
As a certified medical coder in Mississippi, you can expect to earn $39,470 per year, on average, as of 2023.
The median annual salary for medical billing and coding in Mississippi is $36,750 per year.
What is the average medical coder salary in Washington?
In Washington State, the average medical billing and coding salary is $58,410 per year, the 6th highest in the country.
What is medical coding salary Massachusetts?
The average annual salary for medical billing and medical coding in Massachusetts is $58,580 per year, which is the 5th highest in the country. Massachusetts currently employs 3,500 medical records professionals as of 2023.
What is medical coding salary Illinois?
The average annual salary for medical billing and medical coding in Illinois is $51,450 per year. Illinois currently employs 5,460 medical records professionals as of 2023.
How much is medical coding salary in Georgia?
The medical billing and coding salary in Georgia is approximately $47,200 per year, on average, as of 2023.
How much is medical coding salary in Indiana?
The average salary for medical billers and coders in Indiana is approximately $48,890 per year as of 2023, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What is the medical coding salary in North Carolina?
What is the medical coding salary in NC?
The average salary for medical billers and coders in NC is approximately $47,150 per year as of 2023, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which gathers data from employers nationwide each year.
What is the medical coding salary in Alabama?
The average salary for medical coders and medical records specialists in Alabama is approximately $40,250 per year as of 2023, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What is the medical coding salary in Virginia?
What is the medical coding salary in VA?
The average salary for medical coders in VA is approximately $49,840 per year as of 2023, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which surveys employers in the healthcare industry each year.
What is the medical coding salary in Michigan?
The average salary for medical coders and medical records specialists in Michigan is approximately $45,920 per year as of 2023, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What is the medical coding salary in Minnesota?
What is the medical coding salary in MN?
The average salary for medical coding professionals in Minnesota is $57,320 per year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is 11% above the national average.
Minnesota employs 3,190 medical coding professionals as of 2023, and projects to continue growing in the next decade.
What is medical coding salary in Ohio?
Average medical coding salaries in Ohio are approximately $48,990 per year as of 2023, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Ohio currently employs approximately 5,420 medical billers and medical coders, which is above the state average.
How much does a medical coder make in New York?
The average annual salary for medical billing and coding professional coders in New York is approximately $55,400 per year, on average, as of 2023.
Is medical coding a growing field?
Yes! The job outlook for medical billing and coding, medical records specialists, and health information technicians is expected to grow 8% between now and 2023, according to BLS data.
In addition, 15,000 new positions are being added every year, contributing to higher salaries and a promising career path for professionals in medical billing and coding.
What medical coder gets paid most?
Of all the entry-level medical coding certifications, Certified Professional Coders (CPCs) get paid the most, getting paid an average of $59,605 per year compared to $57,500 for Certified Coding Specialists (CCS) and $48,321 for Certified Coding Associates (CCA).
Advanced medical coding certifications pay even higher salaries, with Certified Documentation Improvement Practitioner (CDIPs), Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCOs), and Certified Healthcare Financial Professional (CHFPs) earning $92,006, $86,550, and $87,563 respectively nationwide.
Of course, medical coding salaries vary with years of experience, location, and certifications, so if your goal is to maximize your salary, we advise starting off as a CPC, and then looking into advanced certifications like the CDIP and CMPA after 2-3 years of professional experience!
What is the medical coding pay range?
The medical coding pay range depends on many factors, including coding certification, years of experience, location, and work setting, such as hospital or doctor's office.
Nationwide, the medical coding pay range is from $31,710 at the lowest 10%, to $75,460 or more at the highest 10%. Medical coders with advanced certifications can earn more than $120,000 per year.