How much do medical coders make?
Medical billing and coding salary ranges are wider than most similar occupations, due to the number of factors that can influence the salary. Since medical billing and medical coding specialists have such technical job descriptions and are in such great demand, salary ranges can be somewhat higher than other medical support occupations. However, salary is still subject to the same geographical and economic factors that affect other jobs’ salary ranges.
How Much do Medical Billers and Coders Make?
Answer
Here are some nationwide statistics reflecting medical coding salaries as of 2018:
| Lowest Pay | Median Pay | Highest Pay | Average Pay | |
| Hourly Wage | $14.70 | $20.42 | $35.02 | $19.68 |
| Annual Salary | $30,250 | $44,160 | $58,200 | $43,770 |
Highest paying states for Medical Billing and Coding.
How much medical billers and coders make can vary widely from state to state. Here are the highest-paying states.
| State | Lowest Salary | Median Salary | Highest Salary | Average Salary |
| New Jersey | $33,730 | $53,950 | $77,910 | $55,130 |
| District of Columbia | $27,550 | $43,180 | $67,910 | $45,500 |
| Hawaii | $28,570 | $38,890 | $62,120 | $42,500 |
| California | $25,200 | $38,580 | $65,590 | $42,270 |
| Colorado | $25,710 | $40,520 | $61,110 | $42,110 |
| Connecticut | $27,100 | $39,590 | $59,590 | $41,990 |
| Massachusetts | $25,870 | $37,940 | $60,420 | $41,300 |
| Alaska | $28,330 | $38,890 | $56,550 | $40,740 |
| Maryland | $23,940 | $38,150 | $61,920 | $40,620 |
| New York | $25,210 | $38,770 | $58,180 | $40,300 |
Billing and Coding Salary by City
City of residence can also have a wide impact on how much medical billers and coders make. Factors like local economy, living costs, and population density all impact the salary. Here are the highest-paying cities for medical billing salary and medical coding salary.
| City | Lowest Salary | Median Salary | Highest Salary | Average Salary |
| Newark, NJ | $32,830 | $55,620 | $85,500 | $57,960 |
| San Francisco, CA | $29,320 | $47,350 | $72,360 | $49,350 |
| Denver, CO | $30,050 | $44,840 | $66,800 | $46,480 |
| Sacramento, CA | $26,170 | $42,980 | $72,560 | $46,450 |
| Honolulu, HI | $31,410 | $41,180 | $65,540 | $44,950 |
| New York, NY | $31,290 | $42,470 | $61,720 | $44,300 |
| Washington, DC | $26,120 | $40,830 | $68,010 | $43,920 |
| San Diego, CA | $25,420 | $38,570 | $73,020 | $43,730 |
| Boston, MA | $27,120 | $39,710 | $62,950 | $43,540 |
| Hartford, CT | $28,480 | $40,100 | $61,490 | $43,450 |
Different Salaries for Different Settings
Whether a medical billing or medical coder works in a large institution such as a hospital or a small private practice will also determine salary. Practicing working from home 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 dedicates time and effort to the business will earn a higher salary than a medical coder who uses it as a simple side project.
Figures based on 2012 salary data courtesy of the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics
Also see:
