In 2022, the Bureau of Labor Statistics began separating the occupational statistics of medical billers and medical coders. Although similar, the two have always been separate occupations; so the occupational data of both professions is being reported individually.
Medical coders occupy an important role in medical facilities. They extract information from a patient’s medical record and translate it into the correct medical codes, which will then be sent to medical billers who collaborate with the patient’s insurance company.
Pay and Salary Information
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average salary for medical records specialists in 2021 was $48,310. The top 10 percent of medical coders earned around $74,200. Exact pay varies depending on your state, and may be higher in states that are not connected to the continental United States.
States with the highest pay for medical records specialists in 2021:
- New Jersey – $67,130
- Massachusetts – $58,950
- California – $57,950
- Connecticut – $57,480
Metropolitan areas with the highest pay for medical coders in 2021:
- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA – $66,980
- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA – $66,900
- Stockton-Lodi, CA – $65,990
- Trenton, NJ – $64,930
Top paying industries for medical coders in 2021:
- Insurance carriers – $64,170
- Scientific research and development services– $61,080
- Electronic shopping and mail-order houses – $59,210
- Other professional, scientific, and technical services – $58,800
Employment Information
Industries with the highest employment levels for medical coders in 2021:
- General medical and surgical hospitals – 49,610
- Offices of physicians – 35,410
- Management of companies and enterprises – 16,210
- Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and payroll services – 9,280
States with the highest employment levels for medical records specialists in 2021:
- Texas – 20,540
- California – 18,580
- Florida – 15,370
- Ohio – 7,990
Career Outlook for Medical Coding Specialists
The career outlook for medical coding specialists is promising. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industry is expected to maintain a growth rate that is consistent with the national average of 9 percent through the next decade.
If you are someone who would enjoy working in a medical setting and collaborating with doctors and nurses, then medical coding may be a great career path for you. Find a medical coding program near you today and get training to become a medical coding specialist.
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