Earning Potential for Medical Coding and Billing Professionals
By: Jenn Brusco | Updated July 2026
There are several factors that go into choosing your career path – and earning potential is a big one. Before you invest in training and certification to pursue a career in medical coding and billing, it’s important to understand the financial impact of that decision and ways in which you can increase your earning potential.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS),
the median salary for professionals who work in medical billing and coding, classified in the BLS as medical records specialists,
is $50,250. ZipRecruiterreports similar findings, noting the average salary for this career, nationwide, as $45,672.
Demand for medical billing and coding specialists remains high, yet according to the
National Healthcareer Association’s (NHA) 2026 Industry Outlook report, 22% of employers say it’s difficult to find qualified
medical coding and billing specialists compared with last year. This is great news for new and existing medical coding and billing professionals as the opportunity to build a strong career in this field is strong.
Depending on the path you choose and the common factors influencing your earning potential, medical billing and coding professionals can expect to see a salary ranging from $35,780 to $80,950. Dive deeper into the influencing factors to see where your salary could land.
Top 5 Factors Influencing Earning Potential
Your earning potential as a medical billing and coding professional is influenced by several key factors, including education, professional certification(s), and location. The good news is, you have control over several of these factors.
#1: Medical billing and coding education and training
Most employers require a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, as well as experience with standard medical diagnoses and procedure codes and billing procedures. Without prior experience, a great way to attain this specialized knowledge is through a medical billing and coding training program from an accredited education provider. After your training, you will likely walk away with a medical coding and billing certificate or degree. The level of education you pursue may impact your starting salary.
Achieving your medical billing and coding certificate is typically a faster and less expensive entry point into this career field. Once you have your certificate, you may choose to pursue a degree program. A degree will enhance your education and improve career opportunities. For example, the AAPC reported that in 2026, the average salary for a medical coding and billing professional with an associate’s degree was $62,643.
#2: Professional certification
Earning a professional certification is an important milestone in your education journey, demonstrating a higher level of knowledge and achievement that can be used to negotiate your salary with your employer. And for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists, 68% of employers require certification, according to the NHA’s 2026 Industry Outlook Report.
Additionally, NHA found that 89% of employers say they would hire a candidate with nationally recognized certifications over someone without, and 74% would increase an employee’s salary when they earn a professional certification.
According to the AAPC’s Salary Survey Report, average annual salaries for professionals with certification include:
- Certified Professional Coders (CPC): $64,495
- Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC): $74,475
- Certified Outpatient Coder (COC): $70,663
- Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC): $71,747
- Certified Professional Biller (CPB): $60,316
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC): $64,945
Additionally, the report shows a 16% increase in salary potential for professionals who have earned one certification, compared to non-certified professionals. That percentage jumps to 34% higher with two certifications or 46% with three or more certifications.
Certifications within specialized healthcare sectors (e.g., ophthalmology) also can garner higher wages.
#3: Location
Where you live within the country will determine at least a portion of your salary range. For example, if you live in a state with a low cost of living, your salary range will reflect that income need. Conversely, if you live in a high cost of living state, your salary range will rise to meet that expectation. The states offering the highest mean annual salaries for medical records specialists, on average, include the District of Columbia (DC), California, Washington, New York, and Hawaii.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics**
#4: Work Environment
There are a number of healthcare facilities that you may choose to work within, including:
- Hospitals
- Insurance companies
- Physician offices
- Ambulatory surgery centers
- Walk-in clinics
- Assisted living and long-term care facilities
- Home health agencies
- Hospice groups
- Telehealth companies
- Medical laboratories
- Imaging centers
The facility type you choose will impact your salary. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports insurance carriers as one of the top paying industries for medical records specialists with an annual mean wage of $65,830.
The highest levels of employment are reported as:
- Hospitals with an annual mean salary of $57,600
- Physician offices with an annual mean salary of $46,010
- Nursing care facilities with an annual mean salary of $47,400
- Management companies and enterprises with an annual mean salary of $59,060
- Outpatient care centers with an annual mean salary of $56,510
Hospitals have one of the highest concentrations of employment for medical coding and billing specialists, followed by physician offices.
#5: Experience
The number of years of experience in medical billing and coding also will have an effect on your salary. The more experience, the more compensation you can expect.
According to the AAPC, medical coding and billing professionals can expect to see the following salary growth over their career: