How Much Do Medical Billers and Coders Make? Pay Guide

If you are thinking about a career in medical billing and coding, pay is probably one of your first questions. The short answer: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that medical records specialists, the occupation group that includes medical coders, earned a median of $51,140 per year ($24.59 per hour) in May 2025. What you actually earn depends on where you work, the credentials you hold and how much experience you build. This guide walks through the numbers in plain language so you can decide whether this path fits your goals.

Median Pay for Medical Billers and Coders

The BLS does not publish a separate category called "medical biller and coder." Instead, it groups coders with other workers who compile, process and maintain patient information under the title medical records specialists. Their data is the most reliable national snapshot of what people in this field earn.

According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook:

• The median annual wage was $51,140 in May 2025. Half of workers earned more and half earned less.
• The lowest 10 percent earned less than $37,000.
• The highest 10 percent earned more than $81,150.
• For comparison, the median for all occupations was $50,980.

That wide range is worth noticing. New graduates usually start closer to the lower end, while experienced coders with strong accuracy records, specialty knowledge or supervisory duties can move well above the median. Pay also varies by location and employer, so local job postings are the best guide to what employers near you are offering.

Where Billers and Coders Earn the Most

Work setting makes a real difference. The BLS lists these median annual wages for medical records specialists in some of the top industries where they worked in May 2025:

• Management of companies and enterprises: $60,980
• Hospitals (state, local and private): $59,120
• Administrative and support services: $49,490
• Offices of physicians: $47,120
• Professional, scientific and technical services: $46,800

Hospitals are also the largest employer, with about 28 percent of these jobs, followed by physician offices at 18 percent. Hospital roles often involve more complex records, which can come with higher pay. Corporate health systems that manage many facilities also tend to pay above the median. If you want a closer look at what each setting is like day to day, read our guide on where medical billers and coders work.

One note on schedules: most medical records specialists work full time. In facilities that never close, such as hospitals, some work shifts that include nights or weekends.

Job Outlook: Is Demand Growing?

The outlook is encouraging. The BLS projects employment of medical records specialists to grow 8 percent from 2025 to 2035, which it describes as much faster than the average for all occupations. That works out to about 14,000 openings each year on average, many of them created as current workers retire or change careers.

Why the growth? An aging population generally needs more medical care, and chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes remain common. Every visit, test and procedure has to be translated into standardized codes for insurance reimbursement, and that is the core of a coder's work.

The BLS also notes that wider use of artificial intelligence tools that make coding more efficient may affect demand. In practice, that makes accuracy, judgment and a solid understanding of coding guidelines even more valuable. Software can suggest codes, but trained people still review documentation, catch errors and resolve problems with claims.

What Affects How Much You Can Make

Several factors tend to separate entry-level pay from higher earnings:

1. Credentials. The BLS notes that certification may be required or preferred by employers. A recognized credential, such as the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA), shows employers you have been trained and tested.
2. Training. Medical records specialists typically need a postsecondary certificate to enter the field. A structured program teaches medical terminology, anatomy, ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS coding, and the claims process.
3. Work setting. As the industry figures above show, hospitals and corporate offices tend to pay more than smaller practices.
4. Experience and accuracy. Coders who consistently produce clean claims become valuable to employers and are often first in line for raises or promotions.
5. Specialization. Learning a specialty, such as outpatient surgery or a particular medical field, can open more advanced roles over time.
6. Location. Wages vary by state and city. The BLS State and Area Data tool lets you look up pay where you live.

How to Start a Career in Medical Billing and Coding

Many adults choose this field because it offers a healthcare career without hands-on patient care. The BLS calls it one of the few health-related occupations with no direct hands-on patient care, and specialists typically spend much of their day at a computer. Here is a simple path to get started:

• Choose an accredited training program. Look for a program that prepares you for a national certification exam.
• Study the core coding systems. Practice with ICD-10-CM for diagnoses and CPT for procedures until reading the code books feels natural. Learning how billing and coding fit together will make you more useful in any office.
• Earn your certification. Schedule your exam soon after you finish training while the material is fresh.
• Build your first resume. Highlight your training, credential, software experience and attention to detail.
• Keep learning. Code sets are updated regularly, so continuing education helps you stay accurate and competitive.

Military spouses and service members may have funding options for training, including SpouseWorks, Army Credentialing Assistance and Air Force COOL. Eligibility and funding approval are required, so speak with an AlliedRx advisor about which programs may apply to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do medical coders make more than medical billers?

The BLS groups both roles under medical records specialists, so it does not publish separate national pay figures for each. In many workplaces the duties overlap, and pay depends more on setting, credentials and experience than on the job title.

Can I work from home as a medical biller or coder?

Some employers offer remote or hybrid roles, especially for experienced coders, but remote work is not guaranteed. Many new graduates start on-site to build experience first. Availability varies by location and employer.

How long does it take to start earning?

The BLS says the typical entry-level education is a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a certificate. Training length varies by program, so check the program page for current details.

Is medical billing and coding a good career for career changers?

For many adults, yes. It suits people who are detail-oriented, comfortable on a computer and interested in healthcare without direct patient care. The BLS projects much faster than average growth through 2035.

Ready to take the next step? AlliedRx Institute of Healthcare offers a Medical Billing and Coding program with online and hybrid options designed for working adults. Our programs are accredited and approved through NHA, AMCA and NCCT, and AlliedRx is approved by SCHEV (State Council of Higher Education for Virginia). Register today and start building your future in healthcare.