Medical Billing & Coding salary Insights 2024: How Much Can You Earn in the Healthcare Industry?
If you’re considering a healthcare career that combines attention to detail with strong job stability, medical billing and coding is a compelling path. These roles play a crucial part in revenue cycle management, ensuring that healthcare providers are accurately paid for the care they deliver. In 2024, salaries for medical billers and coders vary widely based on credentials, experience, location, and whether you work in-house, remotely, or for a third-party service.This article breaks down the current landscape, highlights salary ranges, and shares practical tips to boost yoru earnings while staying aligned with industry best practices.
2024 Salary Landscape for Medical Billing & Coding
the median pay for medical billing and coding professionals sits in the range of mid-$40k to mid-$50k annually, with significant upside for credentialed and experienced professionals. Remote roles and specialized coding (for example, surgical coding, pathology coding, or denial management) frequently enough command higher wages. Geographic location, employer type, and the level of duty (entry, mid, senior) are the main levers that push total compensation up or down.
Key takeaways:
- Credentials matter: professional certifications typically correlate with higher salaries and faster advancement.
- experience matters: the longer you stay in the role and expand your skill set, the higher your earning potential.
- Location and remote work: metropolitan areas and regions with higher living costs often pay more; remote opportunities can also offer competitive pay, sometimes with overtime or performance bonuses.
- Employer type: hospitals, large health systems, medical billing companies, and specialty clinics may offer different pay scales and benefits.
Factors That Influence Medical Billing & Coding Salaries
- Experience: Entry-level coders may start in the $34k-$45k range, while seasoned coders with specialized expertise may exceed $70k annually.
- Geography: Urban centers and states with higher costs of living tend to offer higher salaries. Remote roles can compress or broaden regional differences depending on the employer.
- Role scope: Roles that involve denial management, audit support, EHR optimization, or coding for high-complexity specialties often pay more.
- Industry sector: Hospitals and health systems often have higher wage potential than smaller clinics or solo practices; third-party billing firms may offer stable pay plus bonuses.
- Education & training: Ongoing education, continuing education credits, and staying current with coding updates (CPT, ICD-10-CM/PCS) can translate into higher earning potential.
Salary by Credential and Experience
Credentials can significantly influence starting pay and long-term growth. The ranges below reflect typical market values in 2024 across the United States,with regional variations still in play.
| credential / Experience Level | Approximate Annual Salary Range (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (0-2 years) with CPC-A or RHIT | $34,000 – $45,000 | Foundational coding and billing tasks; room for growth with training. |
| Mid-level (2-5 years) with CPC or RHIA | $45,000 - $60,000 | Strong coding accuracy, denial management, and EHR proficiency boost value. |
| Senior/lead Coder (5+ years) with CCS or CPB | $60,000 - $75,000+ | Specialization and team duty frequently enough lead to higher compensation and leadership roles. |
| Specialized / High-demand areas (e.g., oncology, surgical, or pathology coding) | $65,000 – $90,000 | Demand-driven premium for complex codes and audits. |
| Remote medical billing + coding (experienced) | $50,000 – $70,000 (plus bonuses) | Flexibility and broader client base can increase earning potential. |
Salary by Region and Geography
Regional pay variations reflect cost of living, demand, and local healthcare market dynamics. The table below shows typical regional ranges for experienced professionals in 2024. Individual salaries can deviate based on city, employer, and telecommuting options.
| Region | Typical annual salary range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast | $50,000 – $65,000 | Higher salaries in metro areas like NYC, Philadelphia, Boston. |
| Midwest | $45,000 – $60,000 | Steady demand across large hospital systems and clinics. |
| South | $42,000 – $58,000 | Varies with state and metro vs.rural settings. |
| West | $55,000 - $70,000 | California and Pacific Northwest often top the region for pay. |
| Remote / Telework | $50,000 – $70,000 | Location-agnostic pay with client mix and hours considered. |
Benefits, Perks, and Practical Tips to boost Earnings
- Beyond the base salary: look for extensive benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and continuing education reimbursements.
- specialize to increase value: focusing on denial management,medical necessity reviews,or high-volume coding can command higher pay.
- Learn the revenue cycle: knowledge of charge entry, claims submission, payer negotiations, and audits adds cross-functional value.
- Stay current: keep CPT, ICD-10-CM/PCS, and HCPCS updates current. Certifications often require periodic recertification or CEUs.
- Leverage remote work: remote roles can broaden job opportunities and allow access to higher-paying markets without relocation costs.
- Negotiate: when changing roles,negotiate salary based on credentials,years of experience,and demonstrated results (accuracy,denial reduction,cycle time improvements).
Practical Tips to Maximize Earnings in 2024
- Earn a widely recognized credential (e.g., CPC, RHIA or RHIT) within the first year of work to unlock higher starting pay and promotion opportunities.
- Gain experience with high-demand coding areas (surgical,cardiovascular,oncology,or interventional radiology).
- Develop expertise in payer-specific processes (Medicare/Medicaid, commercial payers) and denial management.
- Improve your EHR literacy and data analytics skills to contribute to fewer claim denials and faster claim resolution.
- Seek roles that offer leadership, mentoring, or team supervision opportunities as you near senior levels.
- Consider contract or per-diem options if you want to supplement income or accelerate advancement through additional hours.
Case Studies and First-hand Experience
Case Study 1: From Entry-Level to Specialist Lead
Maria started as a medical billing clerk with an entry-level CPC-A credential in a mid-sized hospital system.Within two years, she earned a CPC and RHIA, took on denial management duties, and helped implement a coding audit process that reduced claim denial rates by 18%. Her compensation progressed from the mid-$30k range to the low $70k range as she moved into a senior coder role and oversaw a small team.
Case Study 2: Remote Coding for Specialty Clinics
James began working remotely as a medical coder for a group of specialty clinics after earning the CCS and CPB credentials. His focus on surgical and procedural coding, plus tight collaboration with the revenue cycle team, enabled a salary in the $60k-$75k band, with flexible hours and the option to take on project-based coding audits during slower clinics periods.
Career Path: Education, Training, and Certification
Embarking on a medical billing and coding career typically involves a mix of formal coursework and professional certification. Here’s a practical roadmap for 2024:
- Foundational education: diploma or certificate programs in medical billing and coding, or health information management basics, often offered by community colleges or community-based online programs.
- Core knowledge: CPT/ ICD-10-CM/PCS coding systems, HCPCS, medical terminology, anatomy, pharmacology, and reimbursement basics.
- Certification: pursue a credential such as CPC (or CPC-A for entry), CCA, CCS, RHIA, or RHIT. If you’re in management or auditing, CPB or CHC (certifications vary by association) can be valuable.
- Experience: seek internships, externships, or entry-level billing roles to gain hands-on experience with payer rules and claim workflows.
- Continuous learning: stay up-to-date with annual coding updates,payer policies,and healthcare regulations to remain competitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is medical billing and coding a good career for remote work?
- Yes. Many organizations offer remote coding and billing roles, which can provide flexibility, broader job access, and sometimes higher wages depending on client demands.
- Do I need a degree to start?
- A degree isn’t always required. Certificates and certifications can be sufficient to land entry-level roles, especially when paired with relevant training and a strong understanding of coding systems.
- What certification should I pursue first?
- Most newcomers start with CPC (or CPC-A) as it’s widely recognized in medical coding. RHIT or RHIA is common for broader health information management roles, and CCS/CPB are strong for advanced coding or billing leadership.
- Will salaries keep rising in 2025?
- Salary growth often tracks credential attainment, performance metrics (accuracy, denial reduction, revenue capture), and market demand. Staying current with coding updates and expanding specialty knowledge will help sustain growth.
Conclusion
Medical billing and coding remain stable, rewarding career options within the healthcare industry. In 2024, earnings are influenced by credentials, experience, and geography, with remote opportunities increasingly common. For those starting out, focus on obtaining a recognized credential (such as CPC) and gaining hands-on experience in common coding areas. As you build expertise, consider specialization, leadership, or revenue-cycle optimization roles to push earnings toward the higher end of the spectrum. The combination of accurate coding, payer proficiency, and adaptability to new technologies positions medical billers and coders for meaningful career growth in the years ahead.