Medical Assistant
Room patients, take vitals, give injections and keep clinic records accurate.
- $45,690
- 9–12 months
Healthcare career
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
Also called: Medical Coder · Medical Biller · Coding Specialist · Medical Records Specialist
What medical billing and coding specialists do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a medical billing and coding specialist do?
Medical billing and coding specialists review patient records, assign standardized diagnosis and procedure codes (ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS), submit insurance claims, and follow up on denials so healthcare providers are paid accurately. The median pay is $51,140 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4–12 months, and employment is projected to grow +7.8% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$51,140$24.59/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+7.8%2025–35, much faster than average
- Openings per year14,000Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationPostsecondary nondegree awardBLS classification
- Time to train4–12 monthsTypical program length
- U.S. jobs200,700Employment, 2025
What medical billing and coding specialists do
Every doctor visit, lab test and surgery has to be translated into codes before anyone gets paid. Medical coders read clinical documentation and assign diagnosis and procedure codes; medical billers turn those codes into claims, submit them to insurers and follow up until they’re paid. Many professionals do both.
It is detail-oriented, behind-the-scenes healthcare work with no patient contact, and many experienced coders work remotely. Most people train through a certificate program of several months to a year and earn a credential such as the CPC or CCA.
Typical duties
- Review physician notes, operative reports and other documentation
- Assign ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes and CPT/HCPCS procedure codes
- Apply modifiers and check codes against payer and NCCI edits
- Prepare and submit claims electronically through a clearinghouse
- Post payments and review explanations of benefits
- Investigate and appeal denied or underpaid claims
- Query providers when documentation is unclear and protect patient privacy
Work environment and schedule
Medical billers and coders work for hospitals, physician practices, billing companies, insurance companies and outsourcing firms. The work is computer-based and sedentary. Many experienced coders work remotely full time.
Schedule: Usually full-time weekday hours. Remote and flexible schedules are common once you have experience and meet productivity and accuracy standards.
A day in the life
- Log into the encoder and EHR from home and pull the queue of yesterday’s outpatient visits.
- Code office visits, choosing the evaluation and management level supported by the documentation.
- Send a provider query asking whether a diagnosis was acute or chronic.
- Review the clearinghouse rejection report and fix a missing modifier and an invalid diagnosis pointer.
See a full day in the life of a medical billing and coding specialist →
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist salary
Half of medical billing and coding specialists earned more than $51,140 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $37,000 for the lowest 10% to $81,150 for the top 10%.
Full medical billing and coding specialist pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a medical billing and coding specialist
- Finish high school or earn a GED
- Complete a billing and coding program
- Earn a certification
- Get your first job
- Specialize
Most employers prefer a postsecondary certificate in medical billing and coding (several months to a year) or an associate degree in health information technology, plus a professional certification.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a medical billing and coding specialist →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- ICD-10-CM diagnosis coding
- CPT and HCPCS Level II procedure coding
- Medical terminology and anatomy
- Claims submission and denial management
- Payer rules and modifiers
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Analytical thinking
- Self-discipline for remote work
- Clear written communication with providers
All medical billing and coding specialist skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- No patient contact or blood: healthcare from behind a desk
- Strong remote-work potential after experience
- Certificate programs take months, not years
- Clear certifications and specialties raise pay
Cons
- Highly detail-oriented and repetitive
- Productivity and accuracy quotas
- Annual code changes require continual learning
- Entry-level coding jobs often require experience: billing can be the door in
Certifications and licenses
- CPC (AAPC): Certified Professional Coder: the most common credential for physician-office coding.
- CCA or CCS (AHIMA): Certified Coding Associate (entry level) and Certified Coding Specialist (hospital coding).
- CPB (AAPC): Certified Professional Biller for billing and reimbursement professionals.
- RHIT (AHIMA): Registered Health Information Technician, requiring an accredited associate degree.
Career path
- Medical Biller or Coder: Code encounters and manage claims.
- Certified Specialty Coder: Specialize in areas such as risk adjustment, inpatient or surgical coding.
- Coding Auditor or Revenue Cycle Analyst: Audit accuracy and improve reimbursement.
- Coding Manager or Compliance Officer: Lead teams and oversee compliance programs.
Learn the job before day one
Our Medical Billing and Coding Specialist training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as assign an ICD-10-CM diagnosis code and submit a clean claim, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
Bookkeeper
Record transactions, reconcile accounts and keep a business’s books accurate.
- $50,670
- 3–12 months
Pharmacy Technician
Fill prescriptions, manage inventory and help pharmacists keep patients safe.
- $45,750
- 3–12 months
Administrative Assistant
Keep offices organized: calendars, communication, documents and logistics.
- $47,540
- Weeks to months
Compare: Medical Coder vs. Medical Assistant · Medical Coder vs. Bookkeeper · Medical Coder vs. Pharmacy Technician · Medical Coder vs. Administrative Assistant
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist FAQ
Can medical coders work from home?
Many can, especially after gaining experience and certification. Employers often require a period of on-site work or a track record of accuracy first.
Is medical billing the same as medical coding?
They’re related but different. Coders translate documentation into codes; billers use those codes to create claims, submit them and follow up on payment. Many jobs combine both.
Which certification is best for beginners?
The CPC from AAPC is common for physician-office coding, while AHIMA’s CCA is an entry-level credential. Check local job postings to see what employers ask for.
How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make?
The median annual wage for medical billing and coding specialists was $51,140 ($24.59 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $37,000 and the highest 10% earned more than $81,150.
How long does it take to become a medical billing and coding specialist?
Most people need about 4–12 months of training. Most employers prefer a postsecondary certificate in medical billing and coding (several months to a year) or an associate degree in health information technology, plus a professional certification.
Do you need a degree to be a medical billing and coding specialist?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education.
More medical billing and coding specialist questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 29-2072 (Medical records specialists).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Medical records specialists (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.