Career comparison
Insurance Claims Clerk vs. Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Medical billing and coding specialists earn more at the median ($51,140 vs. $49,230), while insurance claims clerks usually get to work faster (A few months on the job of training). Insurance claims clerks process insurance claims and policy changes so customers get paid and covered. Medical billing and coding specialists translate medical records into codes and claims so providers get paid correctly.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Insurance Claims Clerk | Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $49,230 ($23.67/hr) | $51,140 ($24.59/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $37,560 – $73,590 | $37,000 – $81,150 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.9% (a projected decline) | +7.8% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 17,500 | 14,000 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | A few months on the job | 4–12 months |
| Key credential | AINS | CPC (AAPC) |
| Work setting | Clerks work in insurance company offices and remotely.. | Medical billers and coders work for hospitals, physician practices, billing companies, insurance companies and outsourcing firms. |
What each job does
Insurance Claims Clerk
- Enter new claims
- Check claims for completeness
- Verify coverage
- Request missing information
- Process policy changes
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
- 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
How they’re similar
Both careers involve desk work, remote-friendly work, steady routines, and working with information. They sit in different fields, business & office and healthcare, but share transferable skills such as accuracy and attention to detail.
Which should you choose?
Choose insurance claims clerk if…
- I’m accurate
- I like steady work
- I’m patient with customers
Choose medical billing and coding specialist if…
- I enjoy detailed, accurate work at a computer
- I want a healthcare job without patient contact
- I can stay focused and productive on my own
Still torn? Take the Insurance Claims Clerk fit quiz and the Medical Billing and Coding Specialist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, insurance claims clerk or medical billing and coding specialist?
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists earn more at the median: $51,140 versus $49,230 for insurance claims clerks, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Insurance Claims Clerks typically train faster (A few months on the job) than medical billing and coding specialists (4–12 months).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects medical billing and coding specialists to grow +7.8% from 2025–35, compared with -1.9% for insurance claims clerks.