Career comparison
Medical Administrative Assistant 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. $45,930), while medical administrative assistants usually get to work faster (3–12 months of training). Medical administrative assistants run the front office of a clinic or hospital unit: scheduling, check-in, insurance and records. 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
| Medical Administrative Assistant | Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $45,930 ($22.08/hr) | $51,140 ($24.59/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $35,930 – $60,530 | $37,000 – $81,150 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.8% (about as fast as average) | +7.8% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 89,200 | 14,000 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Training time | 3–12 months | 4–12 months |
| Key credential | Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) | CPC (AAPC) |
| Work setting | Medical administrative assistants work in physician offices, hospitals, outpatient clinics, dental practices and specialty centers. | Medical billers and coders work for hospitals, physician practices, billing companies, insurance companies and outsourcing firms. |
What each job does
Medical Administrative Assistant
- Schedule, confirm and reschedule patient appointments
- Register new patients and update demographic information
- Verify insurance eligibility and obtain prior authorizations
- Collect copays and post payments
- Manage referrals, records requests and faxes
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, indoor work, working with information, and steady routines. Both are part of the healthcare field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose medical administrative assistant if…
- I like helping people in person and on the phone
- I can handle several tasks at the same time
- I’m careful with details like names, dates and numbers
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 Medical Administrative Assistant fit quiz and the Medical Billing and Coding Specialist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, medical administrative assistant or medical billing and coding specialist?
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists earn more at the median: $51,140 versus $45,930 for medical administrative assistants, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Medical Administrative Assistants typically train faster (3–12 months) 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 +4.8% for medical administrative assistants.