How much do medical billing and coding specialists make?
Answer
Medical billing and coding specialists in the US earned a median of $51,140 a year ($24.59 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned $43,490 to $64,820.
- Median annual pay
- $51,140
- Mean $56,790
- Median hourly pay
- $24.59
- Mean $27.30
- Typical range (10th–90th)
- $37.0K–$81.2K
- $37,000 to $81,150
- US jobs
- 194,720
- +7.8% projected, 2025–35
BLS OEWS, May 2025, released April 30, 2026. Wages include tips, commissions and production bonuses but not overtime premiums, shift differentials, other bonuses or benefits; self-employed workers are not included. Methodology
How to become a medical billing and coding specialist: steps, years and cost · Best-paying state after cost of living: District of Columbia
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist pay range
Annual wages, May 2025
- 10th percentile$37,000
- 25th percentile$43,490
- Median$51,140
- 75th percentile$64,820
- 90th percentile$81,150
Half of all medical billing and coding specialists earned more than $51,140 and half earned less. The lowest-paid 10% made under $37,000; the top 10% made over $81,150. The middle 50%, from the 25th to the 75th percentile, ran from $43,490 to $64,820.
These percentiles describe everyone in the occupation at one time. They are not pay steps by years of experience: they mix new and senior workers, different states, employers and hours. Pay generally rises with experience, credentials and specialization, but BLS does not publish pay by experience.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,000 | $17.79 | $3,083 |
| 25th | $43,490 | $20.91 | $3,624 |
| Median (50th) | $51,140 | $24.59 | $4,262 |
| 75th | $64,820 | $31.17 | $5,402 |
| 90th | $81,150 | $39.01 | $6,763 |
| Mean (average) | $56,790 | $27.30 | $4,733 |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist salary by state
Median annual pay; cost of living from BEA regional price parities 2024
Highest-paying states
- 1. District of Columbia $72,040
- 2. Rhode Island $63,960
- 3. Hawaii $63,180
- 4. Washington $62,270
- 5. California $61,810
Lowest-paying states
- 51. Mississippi $41,500
- 50. Arkansas $41,740
- 49. Alabama $43,810
- 48. Louisiana $44,610
- 47. Florida $45,760
Best after cost of living: District of Columbia. Its median of $72,040 is worth about $65,550 at national-average prices.
| Alabama | $43,810 | 49 | $49,323 | 44 | $21.06 | 2,330 | 1.10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $61,090 | 8 | $59,682 | 7 | $29.37 | 1,070 | 3.30 |
| Arizona | $47,630 | 43 | $47,310 | 48 | $22.90 | 3,750 | 1.16 |
| Arkansas | $41,740 | 50 | $48,012 | 45 | $20.07 | 1,920 | 1.47 |
| California | $61,810 | 5 | $55,826 | 25 | $29.71 | 18,700 | 1.03 |
| Colorado | $59,020 | 12 | $57,272 | 17 | $28.37 | 1,780 | 0.62 |
| Connecticut | $60,940 | 9 | $58,817 | 8 | $29.30 | 1,120 | 0.66 |
| Delaware | $56,060 | 17 | $56,168 | 22 | $26.95 | 610 | 1.27 |
| District of Columbia | $72,040 | 1 | $65,550 | 1 | $34.63 | 270 | 0.38 |
| Florida | $45,760 | 47 | $44,249 | 51 | $22.00 | 21,490 | 2.16 |
| Georgia | $51,550 | 28 | $53,535 | 29 | $24.78 | 5,930 | 1.21 |
| Hawaii | $63,180 | 3 | $57,462 | 15 | $30.37 | 400 | 0.64 |
| Idaho | $53,460 | 21 | $55,983 | 23 | $25.70 | 1,490 | 1.74 |
| Illinois | $56,440 | 16 | $56,464 | 21 | $27.14 | 5,740 | 0.94 |
| Indiana | $47,670 | 42 | $51,077 | 39 | $22.92 | 5,860 | 1.83 |
| Iowa | $50,640 | 31 | $57,702 | 14 | $24.35 | 2,250 | 1.44 |
| Kansas | $48,160 | 40 | $53,471 | 31 | $23.15 | 2,030 | 1.41 |
| Kentucky | $48,410 | 39 | $53,694 | 27 | $23.28 | 4,210 | 2.10 |
| Louisiana | $44,610 | 48 | $50,574 | 40 | $21.45 | 2,600 | 1.34 |
| Maine | $52,090 | 25 | $53,673 | 28 | $25.04 | 1,000 | 1.57 |
| Maryland | $54,220 | 19 | $51,658 | 38 | $26.07 | 2,440 | 0.88 |
| Massachusetts | $60,350 | 10 | $57,065 | 20 | $29.02 | 3,500 | 0.96 |
| Michigan | $48,120 | 41 | $50,012 | 43 | $23.13 | 4,890 | 1.11 |
| Minnesota | $61,530 | 7 | $62,390 | 4 | $29.58 | 3,150 | 1.07 |
| Mississippi | $41,500 | 51 | $47,727 | 47 | $19.95 | 2,310 | 1.98 |
| Missouri | $50,750 | 30 | $55,882 | 24 | $24.40 | 3,890 | 1.33 |
| Montana | $50,190 | 34 | $53,030 | 33 | $24.13 | 820 | 1.59 |
| Nebraska | $51,670 | 26 | $57,345 | 16 | $24.84 | 1,640 | 1.60 |
| Nevada | $50,300 | 32 | $50,311 | 42 | $24.19 | 2,350 | 1.51 |
| New Hampshire | $49,210 | 36 | $47,242 | 49 | $23.66 | 930 | 1.36 |
| New Jersey | $50,240 | 33 | $46,174 | 50 | $24.16 | 4,450 | 1.04 |
| New Mexico | $57,470 | 15 | $62,324 | 5 | $27.63 | 1,400 | 1.61 |
| New York | $61,720 | 6 | $57,190 | 18 | $29.67 | 9,080 | 0.94 |
| North Carolina | $49,620 | 35 | $52,605 | 36 | $23.86 | 6,760 | 1.37 |
| North Dakota | $46,280 | 46 | $52,024 | 37 | $22.25 | 520 | 1.22 |
| Ohio | $50,990 | 29 | $54,962 | 26 | $24.52 | 7,440 | 1.34 |
| Oklahoma | $53,460 | 22 | $60,859 | 6 | $25.70 | 2,480 | 1.45 |
| Oregon | $59,000 | 13 | $57,081 | 19 | $28.37 | 2,560 | 1.30 |
| Pennsylvania | $46,840 | 45 | $48,006 | 46 | $22.52 | 6,970 | 1.15 |
| Rhode Island | $63,960 | 2 | $62,534 | 3 | $30.75 | 650 | 1.30 |
| South Carolina | $54,280 | 18 | $57,899 | 13 | $26.10 | 2,750 | 1.19 |
| South Dakota | $51,610 | 27 | $58,260 | 11 | $24.81 | 900 | 1.96 |
| Tennessee | $48,780 | 38 | $53,097 | 32 | $23.45 | 4,440 | 1.35 |
| Texas | $48,860 | 37 | $50,342 | 41 | $23.49 | 17,210 | 1.22 |
| Utah | $52,870 | 24 | $53,478 | 30 | $25.42 | 1,910 | 1.10 |
| Vermont | $57,560 | 14 | $58,760 | 9 | $27.67 | — | — |
| Virginia | $53,290 | 23 | $52,708 | 35 | $25.62 | 4,630 | 1.13 |
| Washington | $62,270 | 4 | $58,189 | 12 | $29.94 | 5,010 | 1.41 |
| West Virginia | $47,360 | 44 | $52,918 | 34 | $22.77 | 1,260 | 1.79 |
| Wisconsin | $60,280 | 11 | $64,063 | 2 | $28.98 | 2,870 | 0.98 |
| Wyoming | $54,210 | 20 | $58,485 | 10 | $26.06 | 280 | 0.99 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates. Adjusted pay = median ÷ (state price level ÷ 100), using BEA regional price parities for 2024; it ignores taxes. Figures for states with few workers in the occupation have larger survey errors and can change sharply from one year to the next. “—” means BLS did not publish the figure. State names link to each state’s highest-paying jobs.
Best-paying metro areas for medical billing and coding specialists
369 metro areas with published pay
| Metro area | Median | Adjusted | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $86,890 | $78,688 | 920 |
| Vallejo, CA | $82,230 | $75,803 | 130 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $75,150 | $70,451 | 1,340 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $74,400 | $64,353 | 1,880 |
| New Haven, CT | $67,290 | $64,356 | 220 |
| Iowa City, IA | $66,340 | $72,496 | 330 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $65,730 | $67,807 | 750 |
| Cheyenne, WY | $65,680 | $68,069 | 60 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $65,530 | $58,965 | 2,830 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $65,220 | $58,777 | 310 |
| Metro area | Jobs | Median | Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | 8,090 | $61,190 | $54,361 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 7,240 | $59,110 | $52,049 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 5,210 | $52,140 | $50,577 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 4,530 | $49,010 | $42,933 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 4,510 | $57,970 | $55,958 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | 3,680 | $51,250 | $51,962 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 3,260 | $49,700 | $48,462 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 2,830 | $65,530 | $58,965 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 2,790 | $58,950 | $58,916 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 2,630 | $60,460 | $55,844 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, metropolitan statistical areas; adjusted with BEA metro price parities (2024).
What moves medical billing and coding specialist pay: employers and settings
The biggest pay difference in our data is the type of employer. Hospitals, which hold 26.6% of these jobs, pay a median of $59,460 and corporate and regional managing offices pay $60,980. Physicians' offices pay less at $47,120 and so do nursing facilities at $46,940 and consulting firms at $43,880. Government jobs pay above the private-sector median of $50,230: federal positions pay $63,880 and state positions $62,950.
The kind of coding matters too. Inpatient hospital coding adds the ICD-10-PCS procedure code set, and it is the work AHIMA's CCS credential is built around. Audit, compliance and supervisory roles usually go to coders with an advanced credential and a record of accurate work.
Location counts. The District of Columbia leads at $72,040, followed by Rhode Island at $63,960, Hawaii at $63,180, Washington at $62,270, and California at $61,810. At the low end are Alabama at $43,810, Arkansas at $41,740, and Mississippi at $41,500. Across the occupation, the 10th percentile is $37,000, and the 90th is $81,150, a spread that reflects setting, credentials and role, not only years worked.
| Industry | Share of jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 26.6% | $59,460 |
| Offices of Physicians | 17.9% | $47,120 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 7.6% | $60,980 |
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | 5% | $46,940 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | 4.9% | $43,880 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | 4.9% | $50,900 |
| Employer type | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Private employers | 172,980 | $50,230 |
| Federal government (incl. Postal Service) | 5,320 | $63,880 |
| State government (incl. schools and hospitals) | 5,920 | $62,950 |
| Local government (incl. schools and hospitals) | 10,500 | $53,810 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, national industry-specific and ownership estimates (4-digit NAICS).
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist pay over time
Median annual pay, 2021–2025
- 2021
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
The median rose from $46,660 in 2021 to $51,140 in 2025, up 10% in nominal dollars. After inflation, the 2021 median is worth $55,720 in May 2025 dollars, so real pay fell 8% over the period.
The series starts in 2021 because BLS changed how it defines or publishes this occupation before then, so earlier figures are not comparable.
BLS OEWS, May 2025 and earlier May releases; inflation from the CPI-U, US city average, May of each year.
What medical billing and coding specialists do
Medical billing and coding specialists turn what happened during a patient visit into the standardized codes that insurers, Medicare and Medicaid use to pay claims. A medical coder reads the physician's notes, lab results and operative reports, then assigns diagnosis codes from ICD-10-CM and procedure codes from CPT or HCPCS. A medical biller uses those codes to build the claim, sends it to the payer, follows up on denials and posts payments. In many offices one person does both.
BLS counts this work under medical records specialists, a group that also includes the clerks and technicians who keep health records complete, secure and available to the right people. Hospitals and physicians' offices employ the largest shares, followed by corporate and regional managing offices, nursing facilities, consulting firms and outpatient centers. There is no hands-on patient care. The job is done at a computer, often from home. Coders regularly message nurses and doctors to clear up vague or missing documentation before a claim goes out.
A typical day
- Read visit notes, test results and surgery reports and pick the right diagnosis and procedure codes
- Query the doctor or nurse when the chart does not support a code or leaves out a detail
- Build and submit insurance claims, then work rejected or denied claims until they are paid
- Post payments and adjustments and explain balances to patients who call about their bills
- Check records for missing signatures, dates and other gaps before they are closed
- Release copies of records only to people and agencies allowed to see them under privacy rules
- Keep up with yearly code set updates and payer rule changes
Also called: medical billing and coding, medical coding, medical coder, medical biller, medical billing, medical billing and coder, medical records specialist, coder.
How to become a medical billing and coding specialist
Full guideTo become a medical biller and coder, you complete a medical coding certificate or an associate degree in health information, then pass a certification exam such as AAPC's CPC or AHIMA's CCA. Most people are working within about 1 to 2 years.
- Typical time
- 1-2 years
- Fastest: About 1 year
- Minimum education
- High school diploma plus a postsecondary certificate in medical coding (some employers want an associate degree)
- License
- Not licensed (certification expected by most employers)
- Typical training cost
- $5.2K–$9.6K
- See the guide for what it includes
Read the step-by-step guide to becoming a medical billing and coding specialist: each step with its time and cost, education options, exams, licensing and advancement.
Is it worth it? Training cost against pay
Compare careers- Training time
- 1-2 years
- Typical path in our guide
- Training cost
- $5.2K–$9.6K
- Tuition and exam fees, before aid
- Median pay
- $51,140
- $160 above the all-jobs median ($50,980)
- Cost vs. one year's pay
- 10–19%
- Training cost as a share of a year at the median
Once qualified, the pay difference over the typical US job at the median ($160 a year before tax) would repay the training cost in about 32.7–60.2 years after training ends (1-2 years in our guide). This is a rough guide: it ignores taxes, financial aid, interest, earnings given up while training and how pay changes over a career. How we calculate ROI.
Job outlook for medical billing and coding specialists
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35
- Projected growth
- +7.8%
- All occupations +3.5%
- Jobs in 2025
- 200,700
- 216,300 projected for 2035
- Openings each year
- 14,000
- New jobs plus replacements
- Self-employed
- 1%
- Not in the pay figures above
BLS projects employment of medical records specialists to rise from 200,700 to 216,300 between 2025 and 2035, a 7.8% increase that is more than twice the 3.5% average for all jobs. That works out to about 14,000 openings a year, many of them created when people retire or switch fields. The growth comes from an older population and more chronic illness, which mean more visits and more claims to code, plus coding rules that keep getting more detailed. BLS also flags a brake on that growth: AI-based tools that make coding more efficient are expected to offset part of the demand for new coders.
Related careers and their pay
- Medical Assistant$45,690
- Pharmacy Technician$45,750
- Physician Assistant$135,880
- Business Analyst$101,860
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300
- Registered Nurse$97,550
- Phlebotomist$45,230
- Cardiovascular Technologist$74,310
Related occupations from O*NET 31.0; median annual pay from BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist salary FAQ
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for medical billing and coding specialists was $24.59 in May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $17.79 an hour and the highest-paid 10% more than $39.01. Hourly figures are BLS estimates for all workers in the occupation, full-time and part-time.
Which state pays medical billing and coding specialists the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay for medical billing and coding specialists, $72,040 a year, followed by Rhode Island ($63,960) and Hawaii ($63,180). After adjusting for each state's price level, District of Columbia comes out ahead at about $65,550 in national-average dollars.
Do medical billing and coding specialists make six figures?
Few do: based on the BLS percentiles, fewer than 10% of medical billing and coding specialists earn more than $100,000 a year. The median is $51,140, and the top 10% earn more than $81,150. Pay generally rises with experience, specialization and location.
What is the difference between medical billing and medical coding?
Coding comes first: a coder reads the medical record and assigns diagnosis and procedure codes that describe the visit. Billing uses those codes to prepare the insurance claim, submit it, chase denials and collect what the patient owes. Coders need deeper knowledge of anatomy and code set rules; billers need to know payer policies and the claims process. Small practices often combine the two jobs, while hospitals usually keep them separate.
Can medical coders work from home?
Many can. Coding is done entirely in electronic records and billing software, so hospitals, health systems and outsourcing firms hire remote coders, and AAPC reports that about half or more of the coders in its salary surveys work from home. Most remote jobs ask for a credential, and many want two to five years of coding experience, because new coders need supervision and audits of their work. Expect productivity targets and accuracy reviews in remote roles.
Is medical billing and coding being replaced by AI?
Not replaced, but changed. BLS still projects 7.8% growth for medical records specialists through 2035, while noting that AI-based tools make coding faster and will hold back hiring somewhat. In practice, software suggests codes and people review them, handle complex or unusual cases, answer audits and query doctors. Coders who understand inpatient rules, audits and payer appeals are in the strongest position as routine coding becomes more automated.
Sources
Data updated October 28, 2026 · Text checked against its sources October 28, 2026
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released April 30, 2026, SOC 29-2072
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–2035, released September 2026
- O*NET 31.0 Database (29-2072.00), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under CC BY 4.0; tasks rewritten by Careers and Salaries
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by state and metro area, 2024
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), US city average, May values
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study and institution data, most recent cohorts, released 2026-10-15
- Medical Records Specialists, Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · checked October 28, 2026
- How much does the CPC exam cost?, AAPC · checked October 28, 2026
- Certified Coding Associate (CCA), AHIMA · checked October 28, 2026
- Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), AHIMA · checked October 28, 2026
- Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), AHIMA · checked October 28, 2026
- Health Information Management accreditation, CAHIIM · checked October 28, 2026
- How long is the exam?, AAPC · checked October 28, 2026
- CPC-A: How to remove your Apprentice designation, AAPC · checked October 28, 2026
- Certified Professional Biller (CPB), AAPC · checked October 28, 2026
- License Finder, CareerOneStop, U.S. Department of Labor · checked October 28, 2026
- Taking the CPC and CPB exams, AAPC · checked October 28, 2026
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC), AAPC · checked October 28, 2026
- Medical Coding Work from Home, AAPC · checked October 28, 2026
- Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), AHIMA · checked October 28, 2026
Careers and Salaries is not affiliated with the Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Found an error? Tell us; corrections are listed on the editorial policy page.