Can you make a good living as a medical coder?
Asked by: Tamara Klocko IV | Last update: April 27, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (1 votes)
Can you make a living as a medical coder?
As of my last update in 2023, the average salary for medical coders in the US ranged from $45000 to $70000 per year, with experienced coders earning upwards of $80000, especially in specialized fields. This income can potentially support a family, particularly in regions with a lower cost of living.
Can I make 6 figures as a medical coder?
The best Medical Coder jobs can pay up to $122,000 per year.
A medical coder works in the billing department of doctor's offices, hospitals, or other medical facilities. Medical coders transfer healthcare claims into universal medical codes for insurance reimbursement.
Is medical coder a good career?
Medical coding is indeed a promising career path, especially in today's healthcare landscape where the demand for efficient and accurate medical record-keeping is high. Growing Demand: The healthcare industry is expanding globally, and with it, the need for medical coders is on the rise.
What is the downside of medical coding?
One of the most significant disadvantages of being a medical biller and coder is that you will have to constantly deal with third parties. These third parties can be insurance companies, employers, and government programs.
Can You Travel As a Medical Coder? Remote Work in Billing and Coding
Can a medical coder work from home?
Medical coders and billers are a crucial part of the industry, and their roles can be performed virtually anywhere, making it an attractive opportunity for many who are looking for a job where they can work from home.
What pays more, medical billing or coding?
In general, medical coders typically earn more than billers.
Is it hard to get hired as a medical coder?
Once you've completed your training in medical billing and coding, it's time to venture out into the job market. A word of warning: because medical billing and coding is expanding so rapidly, many young coders often find the job market saturated. It can be tough to get a coding or billing job right away.
Is there a future for medical coders?
Future roles for medical coders might include: AI Trainers and Auditors: Who better to train and refine AI systems than those who understand the intricacies of medical coding? Complex Case Specialists: Focusing on the challenging cases that AI struggles to handle accurately.
Do medical coders make more money than nurses?
Average Salary for RN Coders
RN coders earn an average annual salary of $84,699, or $41 an hour, according to ZipRecruiter. RN coder salaries are comparable to clinical nurse salaries and are typically higher than other coding and billing salaries.
What is the hardest part of being a medical coder?
Medical coding is challenging due to the complexity of medical terminology, procedures, and diagnosis codes. The sheer volume of codes and constant updates to coding guidelines make accuracy critical but difficult to maintain.
What is the highest paying coding job?
- Chief technology officer. ...
- Software engineering manager. ...
- Machine learning engineer. ...
- Enterprise architect. ...
- Site reliability engineer. ...
- Software architect. ...
- Data warehouse architect. ...
- Technical program manager.
How to increase salary as a medical coder?
If you're a medical coder at or near the top of your pay scale, you can increase your salary by pursuing higher-level jobs that incorporate your current coding skill set. These jobs can include: Advanced Specialty Certification Jobs.
Is a medical coding exam hard?
There's no doubt about it, the CPC® exam is tough. A variety of sources show that ONLY about 50% of coders receive the necessary 70% score to pass the CPC® Exam on the first try. That means that half of all test-takers need a second shot at passing. Who wants to take this test more than once?
What percentage of medical coders work from home?
Employers of medical coders, billers, and other healthcare business professionals are part of the remote work trend, as shown by a whopping 65.7 percent of the AAPC 2024 Salary Survey respondents reporting that they work remotely full time.
Does being a coder pay well?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest-paying states for computer programmers include: Washington ($158,520) California ($124,660)
What are the cons of being a medical coder?
- You'll Need Technical Training. ...
- Certification and Re-Certification. ...
- Computer Skills are a Must-Have. ...
- Advancement Requires Additional Certificates or Degrees. ...
- Requires a Great Degree of Accuracy. ...
- Learning New Codes and Regulations. ...
- High Competition for Jobs in Some Areas.
Is there a shortage of medical coders?
Unfortunately, the lack of medical coders may only worsen. By 2033, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the demand for medical coders and other medical records specialists will grow nine percent which is much faster than average for all occupations. That's about 15,000 openings each year.
Do medical coders work long hours?
Medical coders usually work 40 hours a week or part-time.
What medical coder gets paid most?
The highest-paying medical coding certification can vary depending on factors such as location, experience, and specialization. However, certifications like the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC) are often associated with higher salaries due to their specialized expertise.
Can I get a medical coder job with no experience?
While it helps to have professional experience when applying for a job as a medical coder, many companies hire candidates with little to no experience at all. Make sure to review the qualifications on the job post before applying for a position as a medical coder to improve your chances of getting the job.
Is medical coding a stressful career?
The job can be stressful. In medical billing and insurance coding, you are impacting people's finances.
Do medical coders talk on the phone?
Although medical coders work behind the scenes and interact directly with healthcare providers and insurance companies, they have to interact with patients. Hence, the answer to your question, “do medical coders have to talk on the phone?” is yes.
Is it worth getting a medical coding certificate?
Earn a great salary
And according to this AAPC survey, earning additional certifications will only increase your salary potential. Medical billers and coders who achieve two professional certifications earn an average salary of $64,890, and those who earn three certifications have an average salary of $70,608.
Is there a 4 week online course for medical billing and coding?
Currently, there is only one 4-week online medical billing and coding program. It is offered by Medicalbillingcourse.com. The next shortest program available is roughly 16 weeks in length.