Medical Billing and Coding Salary In 2024

Professional Training & Certification is Critical for a Successful Career

When it comes to pay, it's not always about location, location, location!

Akaska leads the pack when it comes to salaries for certified billing & coding specialists. Pay in the two largest cities, Anchorage and Fairbanks, is now between $57,883 and $71,870.

West Virginia is at the bottom when it comes to pay. billers & coders average $41,650. The southern US has the lowest average pay.

But location alone doesn't tell the whole story. Many experienced billing and coding specialists were able to work from home. The Pandemic changed all of that. Work-from-home options are now common.

Usually, the larger the company, the more likely that workers are able to work remotely. Some hospitals still have billing specialists work in-house, but that is quickly changing.

Which States Pay The Most?

Alaska's medical billers have an average annual salary of $62,400. Alaska's most populous city, Anchorage, leads the state at $71,870.
Washington's certified medical billers & coders average $61,807 annually. CBCs in Seattle average $64,725 per year.
Medical billing & coding salary in California goes anywhere from $53,235 to $66,836 per year. For specialists in Los Angeles, the pay is $66,224.
Coding & billing specialists in Oregon make an average of $66,224 annually. Portland, Oregon's largest city, has an average billing & coding salary of $69,450.
Medical billing & coding salary in Hawaii goes anywhere from $63,235 to $68,836 per year. For specialists in Honolulu, the pay is $66,902.

Maximizing Your Medical Billing and Coding Salary

According to The American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC), a survey conducted indicated that medical billing and coding salaries increased in 2022, despite a challenging economy. The online survey included responses from more than 10,000 professionals in the United States.

Work Experience

Level of work experience is always a factor, when it comes to compensation. It goes without saying that the more work experience you possess, the higher the salary you can command.

When work experience pertains directly to the field you are in or for the position you are applying, it is almost certain that pay raises will be easy to attain. Sometimes this can be done by staying with the same company, particularly when the business values its employees and understands that in order to retain great staff, they must acknowledge hard work and experience with appropriate pay increases.

However, when the budget of a company does not allow for the kinds of increases that meet what the market will bear for certain levels of work experience, it may be time to consider other employment options. To protect yourself, always keep tabs on the skills you gain through experience and update your resume regularly so it is always ready.

In addition, according to The American Association of Professional Coders (AAPC), medical billing and coding salary increases typically become very marginal after 15 plus years of experience, unless aided by a higher degree.

Education Level

In business environments, the education level of employees is definitely a determining factor when it comes to pay rates. Those with higher education levels are usually able to command higher salaries. To increase your earning potential, consider courses and degrees that continue your education. Always stay current on your profession’s latest developments.

Most individuals at entry level positions in medical billing and coding generally possess an associates degree. The lowest medical billing and coding salary reported by the AAPC was $27,500. However, additional education can provide salary negotiation leverage, while making your resume far more appealing.

The AAPC 2022 survey indicated that some medical billing coders at partial high school levels with credentials have achieved similar salaries to those who are non-credentialed, with associate’s degrees. Staff with some high school generally earned a median salary of $49,167, while professionals with a two year degree earned an average salary of $74,205.

To better achieve a salary increase, attend seminars and networking events to keep your pulse on the latest technology, which certainly is a factor in determining medical billing and coding salaries. Learn new skills like how to use special computer and software programs.