Medical Billing and Coding Salary in the U.S.
According to US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports, the average median salary for medical billers is around $47,180 per year.
This is about $22.69 per hour. Several things can affect the specific salary of medical billing and coding professionals.
According to the AAPC, certified medical coders can earn as much as 33% more than non-certified professionals.
You’ve come to the right place if you are considering a medical billing and coding technician career.
This article details the responsibilities of medical billers and coders. This article also details the average annual salaries for technicians in all 50 states and some major cities.
Before diving into the medical billing and coding salary details, let’s take a quick look at the responsibilities of medical coding and medical billing professionals.
Which states and cities offer the highest Medical Billing and Coding Salary?
What is Medical Coding?
If you don’t know, medical coding relates to converting medical terminology and information into a universally understood language.
This is a way to streamline collaboration between healthcare providers and insurance companies.
There is an established alphanumeric code that medical coders use. Medical coding professionals apply this language to diagnose processes, medical equipment and medical services.
Medical coding is important for the industry because of the following:
- Streamlines the medical billing procedure
- Develops universally understood language for medical professionals and facilities
- Assists researchers in tracking health trends and analyzing treatments
What Do Medical Billers and Coders Do?
Medical billing involves collecting payments for healthcare services provided by the hospital. This includes combining coded information into an invoice.
They send the invoice to the payers or insurance providers. These professionals are also responsible for collecting payments.
Often, people mix up Medical Coding and Medical Billing. Here’s the main difference between the two:
Medical Coders – Review medical data and allot the standardized code required for billing.
Medical Billers – Collect and combine patient information, prepare insurance company claims, and create patient invoices. This usually involves collaborating with medical service providers, insurance companies and patients.
What is the Medical Billing and Medical Coding Salary?
Several factors influence the salaries of medical coders and medical billers in the US. Specialization, location, certification, workplace type and experience are major factors.
Considering these factors, the US BLS found that the average median medical billing and coding salary is around $47,180 per year or about $22.69 per hour.
According to reports by the AAPC, non-certified medical coders can earn as much as $46,321 per year.
On the other hand, certified medical coders can earn up to 33% more, around $60,097 per year.
If you add another certification, this increases the average annual salary to around $64,712.
More certifications are likely to increase the annual salary of medical coding and billing professionals.
Apart from the salary, certified medical billing and coding professionals also receive several benefits. These may include paid time off, insurance, tuition reimbursement, sick leave, etc.
Which states and cities offer the highest Medical Billing and Coding Salary?
According to BLS reports, these are the 5 states with the highest average salary for medical billing and coding professionals:
District of Columbia – $72,460 (annual) / $34,84 (hourly)
Massachusetts – $51,960 (annual) / $24,98 (hourly)
Connecticut – $50,290 (annual) / US$ 24,18(hourly)
California – $49,910 (annual) / $24,00 (hourly)
New York – $49,430 (annual) /$23,77 (hourly)
The BLS report also ranks the below-given US cities with the highest medical billing and coding salary:
San Francisco (California) – $59,340 (annual) / $28,53 (hourly)
Napa (California) – $55,980 (annual) / $26,91 (hourly)
San Jose (California) – $55,270 (annual) / $26,57 (hourly)
New Haven (Connecticut ) – $54,370 (annual) / $ 26,14 (hourly)
Santa Rosa (California) – $53,640 (annual) / $25,79 (hourly)
Medical Billing and Coding Salary by State
Every US state has its unique economy, cost of living and average annual salary. Location is one of the greatest factors that influence these salaries.
Let’s take a detailed look at the medical billing and coding salaries in different states in the US:
| STATE | AVERAGE SALARY |
|---|---|
| Alabama | US$ 49,881 / US$ 24.72 |
| Alaska | US$ 59,579 / US$ 28.64 |
| Arizona | US$ 55,785 / US$ 26.82 |
| Arkansas | US$ 50,250 / US$ 25.03 |
| California | US$ 68,698 / US$ 33.03 |
| Colorado | US$ 60,162 / US$ 28.92 |
| Connecticut | US$ 59,968 / US$ 29.72 |
| Delaware | US$ 55,049 / US$ 26.47 |
| District of Columbia (D.C.) | US$ 66,053 / US$ 31.76 |
| Florida | US$ 54,231 / US$ 26.67 |
| Georgia | US$ 52,804 / US$ 25.39 |
| Hawaii | US$ 60,980 / US$ 29.32 |
| Idaho | US$ 51,375 / US$ 25.46 |
| Illinois | US$ 55,210 / US$ 26.54 |
| Indiana | US$ 51,741 / US$ 24.88 |
| Iowa | US$ 52,152 / US$ 25.84 |
| Kansas | US$ 53,271 / US$ 25.61 |
| Kentucky | US$ 51,413 / US$ 24.72 |
| Louisiana | US$ 49,839 / US$ 24.70 |
| Maine | US$ 54,003 / US$ 25.96 |
| Maryland | US$ 59,486 / US$ 28.60 |
| Massachusetts | US$ 62,148 / US$ 30.80 |
| Michigan | US$ 52,692 / US$ 25.33 |
| Minnesota | US$ 57,379 / US$ 27.59 |
| Mississippi | US$ 46,524 / US$ 23.05 |
| Missouri | US$ 54,170 / US$ 26.04 |
| Montana | US$ 47,736 / US$ 22.95 |
| Nebraska | US$ 54,003 / US$ 26.76 |
| Nevada | US$ 53,898 / US$ 25.91 |
| New Hampshire | US$ 57,957 / US$ 27.86 |
| New Jersey | US$ 63,270 / US$ 31.35 |
| New Mexico | US$ 52,646 / US$ 25.31 |
| New York | US$ 61,436 / US$ 29.54 |
| North Carolina | US$ 55,352 / US$ 27.43 |
| North Dakota | US$ 54,792 / US$ 26.34 |
| Ohio | US$ 52,844 / US$ 25.41 |
| Oklahoma | US$ 50,662 / US$ 25.11 |
| Oregon | US$ 55,285 / US$ 26.58 |
| Pennsylvania | US$ 53,457 / US$ 25.70 |
| Rhode Island | US$ 55,761 / US$ 27.63 |
| South Carolina | US$ 50,610 / US$ 24.33 |
| South Dakota | US$ 51,653 / US$ 24.83 |
| Tennessee | US$ 54,732 / US$ 27.12 |
| Texas | US$ 57,802 / US$ 27.79 |
| US Territory | US$ 40,298 / US$ 19.37 |
| Utah | US$ 55,966 / US$ 27.73 |
| Vermont | US$ 52,967 / US$ 25.46 |
| Virginia | US$ 52,001 / US$ 25.00 |
| Washington | US$ 57,063 / US$ 28.28 |
| West Virginia | US$ 47,553 / US$ 22.86 |
| Wisconsin | US$ 55,979 / US$ 26.91 |
| Wyoming | US$ 54,667 / US$ 27.09 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Billing and Coding Salaries
What is the average salary of a medical coder in the US?
The average medical coder's salary in the US is around $45,000 per year. An entry-level position of a medical coder starts at $37,000, and experienced medical coders can earn up to $61,500 annually through this position.
What is the current demand for the medical billing and coding profession in the USA?
The medical billing and coding profession is in high demand and is projected to grow by 8.54% between 2020 and 2030. It is expected to generate over 30,000 jobs in the USA. Medical Billing and Coding is a good option if you are planning to look for a career option.
What is the core duty of a medical coder?
A medical coder reviews the files of the patients and translates everything into codes for easy understanding by the insurance companies. It converts long details into short ones making it easier for the computer systems to recognize things.
What are the practical uses of Medical Coding?
Medical coding is crucial to collect the details about medical claims by medical companies. The same codes help the billing department generate medical bills accurately. The medical coder must design the right codes to make the entire procedure user-friendly.
What medical coding is used in the USA?
The American Medical Association uses Current Procedural Terminology. It is known as CPT codes and identifies surgical, medical, and other diagnostic procedures and services within the US.
Which country is best for Medical Coding jobs?
According to various reports published globally, the countries good for Medical Coders are Singapore, Switzerland, Japan, and New Zealand. Besides this, medical coders are in high demand in almost every country as hospitalization in each country is becoming digital.
What is the highest-paying position in medical coding?
The Coding Director earns the highest salary in the Medical Coding profession.
Which type of medical coding is best to earn a high salary?
Those interested in working in an outpatient setting or outpatient clinic must acquire Certified Professional Certification i.e. CPC. The CPC exam is crucial to acquiring the Certified Professional Certification in Medical Coding. A certified medical coder has the highest chance of getting the best position with a high salary.
Conclusion
These are the average salaries for medical billing and coding professionals in the United States. Make sure to gain as many relevant certifications as possible to increase your average salary even more.
See Also
Free Medical Billing and Coding Courses
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Best Medical Billing Companies
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Medical Billing and Coding Schools
I am a dedicated healthcare researcher and an enthusiast specializing in medical grants, medical education and research. Through my articles, I aim to empower healthcare professionals and researchers with valuable insights and resources to navigate these critical aspects effectively.
Having sharpened her skills as a validation manager in the fast-paced world of Cybersecurity over a decade, Andrea now applies her expertise to raise the standards of the fact-checking space. As a meticulous fact-checker, she diligently validates the claims presented in our articles, leaving no room for misinformation or ambiguity.
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