How Much Can You Make Working as a Medical Biller and Coder?
Individuals working in a medical biller and coder role help healthcare organizations with their billing process. This involves preparing and sending bills to patients’ insurance companies or other responsible parties. But first, the patient’s health information – which includes their diagnoses, medical tests, and treatments – must first be translated into universally recognized codes. This is the task assigned to a medical biller and coder.
If you’re interested in a medical billing and coding job role, you may be wondering about pay. Here we provide a deeper look at medical billing and coding wage information. This includes pay information by state, factors that can affect your wage, and more.
Medical Biller and Coder Wages (Annually, Hourly, and Monthly)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn’t provide wage information for medical billers and coders specifically. Instead, pay data for this role is included under the category of medical secretaries and administrative assistants.
As of May 2022, the BLS reported that the median pay for medical secretaries and administrative assistants was $38,500 per year, or $18.51 per hour.1 Since this is a median, it means that half of those in this type of healthcare role made less than this amount, and half earned more.
The BLS adds that the lowest 10% of earners had a median annual wage under $30,230 in May 2022, or $14.53 per hour.1 UMA graduates in the 2021-2022 cohort of its Medical Billing and Coding diploma and degree programs reported to UMA that they earned a median hourly wage that is approximately at or slightly higher than the BLS’s lowest decile.2
If working a 40-hour-per-week schedule, which would be considered full-time, the median monthly pay would be around $3,208. Monthly income would be less if working part-time.
Medical Biller and Coder Wages by State
Wages in a medical biller and coder role can vary based on different factors. One is the state in which you work. Here are the mean annual wages for medical secretaries and administrative assistants by state, which includes medical billers and coders, according to the BLS:1
| State | Mean Annual Wages |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $38,520 |
| Alaska | $44,440 |
| Arizona | $40,650 |
| Arkansas | $34,730 |
| California | $47,640 |
| Colorado | $40,470 |
| Connecticut | $46,290 |
| Delaware | $40,230 |
| Florida | $37,530 |
| Georgia | $38,030 |
| Hawaii | $42,830 |
| Idaho | $36,660 |
| Illinois | $40,510 |
| Indiana | $38,580 |
| Iowa | $38,120 |
| Kansas | $37,860 |
| Kentucky | $35,100 |
| Louisiana | $35,310 |
| Maine | $42,100 |
| Maryland | $42,060 |
| Massachusetts | $47,990 |
| Michigan | $38,330 |
| Minnesota | $46,970 |
| Mississippi | $33,670 |
| Missouri | $38,080 |
| Montana | $36,730 |
| Nebraska | $39,160 |
| Nevada | $40,120 |
| New Hampshire | $43,110 |
| New Jersey | $44,720 |
| New Mexico | $38,100 |
| New York | $44,650 |
| North Carolina | $37,990 |
| North Dakota | $39,900 |
| Ohio | $38,520 |
| Oklahoma | $36,600 |
| Oregon | $46,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $38,930 |
| Rhode Island | $44,780 |
| South Carolina | $37,270 |
| South Dakota | $40,120 |
| Tennessee | $35,870 |
| Texas | $37,990 |
| Utah | $38,760 |
| Vermont | $42,230 |
| Virginia | $42,550 |
| Washington | $48,960 |
| West Virginia | $36,510 |
| Wisconsin | $41,680 |
| Wyoming | $39,220 |
| Puerto Rico | $22,700 |
| Washington D.C. | $50,870 |
Factors That Can Impact Medical Biller and Coder Pay
The state in which you work isn’t the only factor that can affect your pay as a medical biller and coder. Other factors that may influence your wages include:3
- Professional certifications
- Level of experience
- Relevant skills
- Past employer references
- Employer wage structure
Ready to Pursue Career Training in Medical Billing and Coding?
If this job role is of interest to you, UMA offers Medical Billing and Coding diploma and associate degree programs. Both programs are offered online and you can earn your diploma in 11 months or your degree in 18 months.4
UMA’s Medical Billing and Coding diploma and associate degree programs prepare you to pursue entry-level positions. Courses cover important topics such as diagnostic coding, procedural coding, billing and coding application, and the healthcare claims cycle.
One thing we want you to know about UMA is that we are with you every step of your journey. If you have questions about your program or coursework, we’re here to help. Want assistance finding a job? We can help you with your resume, provide interview tips, and even connect you with employer partners who may have opportunities available.
Contact us today to learn more about our Medical Billing and Coding diploma and associate degree programs, or to discuss if this is a good career path fit for you.
1 Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wages. Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes436013.htm
2 UMA’s 2021-2022 graduate earnings estimate is based on wage information obtained for UMA’s graduates from the cohort. Earnings information was typically obtained by a self-report from the graduate, and occasionally from the graduate’s employer or other sources.
3 Indeed Career Guide. What Is a Salary Range and How Do Employers Use It? https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/pay-salary/range-salary
4 Completion time can vary depending on individual student.
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Talk with us. Start your journey.
Complete this form and we'll call you to explore options at UMA and answer your questions. We'll also email you info on how to get started. We're with you at every step!
About the Author
Christina DeBuskChristina DeBusk is a freelance writer who has been providing health and wellness content to healthcare organizations such as the American Chiropractic Association and International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) since 2011. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Central Michigan University, minoring in psychology. She has also earned several ISSA certifications, including Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Nutrition Specialist, achieving the status of Elite Trainer.
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