Salary for Medical Billing and Coding Jobs

Over the past two years, the country has seen a rather steady 6 percent increase in median salary rates for medical coders. The income for this profession is greatly affected by a number of factors such as geographic location, experience, place of employment, specialty and level of training.

How Much Do Medical Billers Earn?

A position in a big city where cost of living is higher than other parts of the country may warrant a higher salary. A medical coder in Los Angeles or New York can expect to earn about $17.00-$20.00 an hour where the same position in Bloomington, IN yields $11.00-$14.00 an hour.

One interesting factor that affects a medical coder’s salary is the specialty in which they code for. Choosing a specialty in Coding for neuropsychiatry or rheumatology could be more lucrative than entering into the field with no specialization.

Different Pay for Different Qualifications

Whether a medical coder works in a large institution such as a hospital or a small private practice will also determine income. Owning a home-based business and being self-employed can put a medical coder’s salary at either end of the spectrum in terms of earning potential. An experienced, self-employed medical coder who has been building a business from home for years will likely earn a higher salary compared to someone who is just starting out in this venture.

Figures courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Employment & Wages database.

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