Medical Billing and Coding Salary

According to the most recent numbers complied by the U.S. Department of Labor, the median medical billing and coding salary is $23, 890. Health information technicians were included in these numbers. Perhaps surprisingly, nursing homes paid the highest wages at a median annual wage of $25,160 while workers in the offices of physicians earned a median annual wage of $21,320.

To obtain even more specific data about the salary of medical billing and coding workers, a survey conducted by American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is helpful for review. Based on a survey of 1036 respondents, AAPC reports that a medical billing and coding salary starts at $28,000 and goes on upward to $40,000.

What accounts for the difference in these reports? While the Department of Labor takes into account all individuals employed in the field of medical records and health information management, the AAPC is specifically reporting on the salaries of people engaged in medical billing and coding.

The AAPC report indicates that the average medical billing and coding worker is a woman in her mid-forties with two or more years of experience and holds at least one level of certification in the profession

Range of a Medical Billing and Coding Salary

The AAPC survey reflects that wages vary considerably according to factors such as experience, where you live and your level of certification. Certified medical coders who were employed in settings with 11 – 20 health care providers earned an average annual wage of $37,598 while the non-certified coders in the same size practice received an annual wage of $29,645. Another example that illustrates the influence of certification: Certified coders living in Western states earned an average of $30,257 but non-certified workers earned two to three thousand dollars less.

Jobs in medical billing and coding can be competitive in salary with other professions in health care such as nursing, social workers and various technicians. While medical billing and coding does not require a four year degree, many of the the highest paid members in the profession often do have a four year degree in nursing which allows them to move into specialized areas or fill supervisory roles.

Clearly, the factors of experience, where you live, the setting in which you work and your level of certification will greatly affect your medical billing and coding salary. However as much as a high wage might appealing, many people choose a career in medical billing and coding for flexibility and the chance to work from home. The choice is yours but choose wisely as each decision will certainly affect your earning power.

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