Medical Billing and Coding Salary 2026: Pay Per Hour, Salary by State & Certification

Medical billing and coding specialists in the United States earn a median salary of $51,140 per year ($24.59 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2025 data. With professional certification, average earnings rise to roughly $65,000 per year, and experienced, multi-certified specialists in high-paying states can exceed $80,000 annually. If you are considering this career, here is a complete breakdown of what medical billing and coding pays in 2026.

Quick Answer: Medical Billing and Coding Salary

Category	Annual Salary	Hourly Rate	Type	Source / Notes
National median	$51,140	$24.59	Median	BLS, May 2025 (medical records specialists)
National average (job postings)	$58,926	~$28.33	Advertised average	Indeed, Aug 2026 (past 36 months of postings)
National average (employee-reported)	$65,007	~$31.25	Employee-reported average	AAPC 2025 Salary Survey (20,000+ respondents)
Entry-level (0–1 yr experience)	$45,377	~$21.81	Employee-reported average	AAPC 2025 Salary Survey
Experienced (31+ yrs)	$80,479	~$38.69	Employee-reported average	AAPC 2025 Salary Survey
Certified (any AAPC credential)	~$6,000+ above uncertified peers	—	Premium	AAPC 2025 Salary Survey
Multi-certified (3+ credentials)	$81,227	~$39.05	Employee-reported average	AAPC 2025 Salary Survey

Bottom line: Certification is the single biggest salary lever. Certified professionals earn about $6,000 more per year than uncertified peers, and those holding three or more AAPC credentials average $81,227 roughly 25% more than single-credential holders.

Medical Billing and Coding Salary Per Month

Using the BLS median of $51,140 per year, a medical billing and coding specialist earns approximately $4,262 per month before taxes. Here is how monthly pay shakes out at the main benchmarks:

• National median (BLS): ~$4,262/month
• Indeed average (postings): ~$4,911/month
• AAPC average (certified respondents): ~$5,417/month
• Entry-level: ~$3,781/month
• Multi-certified senior: ~$6,769/month

Actual take-home pay depends on your state, taxes, and benefits. Monthly figures above are gross pay before deductions.

Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Salary

Starting out, most medical billing and coding specialists earn between $37,000 and $45,000 per year. The details:

• BLS 10th percentile: $37,000/year ($17.79/hour) where true beginners typically start
• AAPC first-year average: $45,377/year for specialists with 0–1 year of experience
• Industry estimates: Newly certified specialists right out of school typically land between $35,000 and $42,000

Newly certified professionals often begin with the CPC-A (apprentice) designation from AAPC while building the experience needed for full CPC status. Entry-level pay rises quickly: by years 2–4, the AAPC-reported average climbs to $51,073, and by years 5–9 it reaches $59,144.

Salary by Experience

AAPC’s 2025 salary survey data shows how pay grows over a career:

Years on the Job	Average Income
0–1	$45,377
2–4	$51,073
5–9	$59,144
10–15	$67,331
16–20	$72,558
21–25	$75,602
26–30	$78,747
31+	$80,479

Incomes rise about 77% from entry-level to late career, with the biggest gains in the first 15 years.

Certification Pay Impact: CPC, CCS, CPB, RHIT and More

Certification is the number-one factor influencing medical billing and coding pay, ahead of training and experience. AAPC’s 2025 credential-by-credential data (annual averages, employee-reported):

Credential	2025 Average Salary
CPC (Certified Professional Coder)	$67,147
CPC-P (Coder-Payer)	$81,957
COC (Certified Outpatient Coder)	$75,786
CIC (Certified Inpatient Coder)	$76,354
CRC (Certified Risk Adjustment Coder)	$74,629
CPB (Certified Professional Biller)	$63,874
CPMA (Medical Auditor)	$81,591
CPPM (Practice Manager)	$84,521
CPCO (Compliance Officer)	$94,017

Key takeaways:

• The CPC, the most recognized outpatient coding credential from AAPC, averaged $67,147 in 2025 — up 19.6% from 2020.
• The CPB (Certified Professional Biller) averaged $63,874, confirming that coding credentials generally pay slightly more than billing-only credentials.
• The CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) from AHIMA is the standard for inpatient hospital coding and typically commands a premium over outpatient-only credentials; AAPC’s survey data shows inpatient-focused roles consistently out-earning physician-office roles.
• The RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician) from AHIMA is an associate-degree-level health information credential; BLS’s industry data shows specialists in hospitals and health systems where RHIT holders often work earning well above the median.
• Stacking credentials pays: specialists with three or more AAPC certifications averaged $81,227 in 2025.

Salary by State: Top-Paying States

Pay varies sharply by location. BLS data for medical records specialists shows the highest median salaries in:

• California: $61,810 median (highest 90th percentile at $102,470)
• New York: $61,720 median
• Wisconsin: $60,280 median

Advertised hourly rates from current ZipRecruiter data (2026 job postings) also illustrate the spread:

Location	Average Hourly Pay	Type
Chicago, IL	$21.15	Advertised average, 2026 postings
Pennsylvania	$20.56	Advertised average, Oct 2026
Florida (certified roles)	$19.70	Advertised average, 2026 postings
National (R1 RCM coding roles)	$22.42	Advertised average, Oct 2026

States with the largest numbers of medical records specialists Texas (20,390), California (19,750), and Florida (15,510) also tend to offer the most job openings, though not necessarily the highest pay.

Remote vs On-Site Medical Billing and Coding Salary

Medical billing and coding is one of the strongest remote-work options in healthcare. Coding requires only a computer, encoder software, and EHR access with no physical presence at a facility so many hospitals and revenue-cycle-management (RCM) companies run fully remote coding teams. Back-end billing roles are also widely available remotely in 2026.

• Remote roles often pay close to on-site equivalents at large health systems and RCM companies, though some pay a flat national rate regardless of your state.
• On-site hospital roles tend to pay above the national median: BLS reports median pay of $59,120 for medical records specialists in hospitals (state, local, and private).
• Physician offices pay the least on average ($47,120 median, BLS) but are also the most common employer for billers.

Factors That Affect Medical Billing and Coding Salary

1. Certification — the biggest lever; certified professionals earn ~$6,000 more per year than uncertified peers (AAPC 2025).
2. Specialty — inpatient hospital coding and specialty coding (cardiology, oncology, risk adjustment) pay more than general outpatient coding.
3. Employer type — health systems and large group practices pay the most (health systems averaged $64,666 in AAPC’s survey); small physician offices pay the least.
4. Location — coastal and high-cost-of-living states lead; the California 90th percentile reaches $102,470.
5. Experience — income grows ~77% from year one to late career.
6. Billing vs coding — medical coding generally pays slightly more than medical billing, especially with advanced certifications.

What Does a Medical Biller and Coder Do?

Medical billers and coders are the engine of the healthcare revenue cycle:

• Medical coders review clinical documentation and assign standardized codes (ICD-10 for diagnoses, CPT for procedures, HCPCS Level II for supplies and services).
• Medical billers submit claims to insurance companies, follow up on denials and unpaid claims, and handle patient billing questions.
• Both roles require knowledge of medical terminology, payer rules, and compliance regulations. Coding issues account for nearly a third of claim denials, so accuracy directly affects provider revenue.

Qualifications: Certifications and Training

• Education: The BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as typical entry-level education most professionals complete a certificate or diploma program (typically 9–18 months). No related work experience or on-the-job training is formally required.
• CPC (AAPC): The most recognized outpatient coding credential; recommended experience is about two years, and new passers start as CPC-A (apprentice) until experience requirements are met.
• CCS (AHIMA): The standard for inpatient hospital coding.
• CPB (AAPC): The billing-focused credential.
• RHIT (AHIMA): Associate-degree-level health information credential; also useful for health information management roles.

Healthcare support roles with similar entry paths include phlebotomy see our Phlebotomist Salary 2026: US Pay, Hourly Rates & Jobs guide if you are comparing allied-health career options.

How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder

1. Complete a training program — a certificate or associate degree in medical billing and coding (9–24 months).
2. Learn medical terminology and anatomy — the foundation for accurate coding.
3. Earn a certification — CPC, CCS, or CPB depending on your target role.
4. Apply for entry-level roles — physician offices, billing companies, and RCM firms hire new CPC-A holders.
5. Add specialty credentials — risk adjustment (CRC), inpatient (CIC), or auditing (CPMA) credentials to lift pay.
6. Maintain your credential — continuing education units keep certifications active.

Career Growth and Job Outlook

The BLS projects 8% employment growth for medical records specialists from 2025 to 2035 much faster than the average for all occupations with about 14,000 job openings per year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change fields. Common advancement paths include medical auditing (CPMA, ~$81,591), practice management (CPPM, ~$84,521), compliance (CPCO, ~$94,017), and clinical documentation improvement.

Benefits and Work Conditions

Most medical billing and coding specialists work full time. In hospitals, some work shifts including nights or weekends. Typical benefits include health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plans remote positions at large RCM companies commonly list medical, dental, vision, and PTO. Back-office work means minimal patient contact and a predictable, computer-based schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average medical billing and coding salary in 2026?

 The national median is $51,140 per year ($24.59/hour) per the BLS (May 2025). Job postings average higher around $58,926 (Indeed, 2026) and certified professionals report averaging about $65,007 (AAPC 2025).

How much does a medical coder make per hour? Hourly pay typically ranges from $18 to $30. 

The BLS median is $24.59/hour; current ZipRecruiter advertised averages range from $19.70/hour (Florida, certified roles) to $21.15/hour (Chicago) up to $22.42/hour for R1 RCM coding positions.

What is the starting salary for medical billing and coding? 

Entry-level specialists earn $37,000–$45,000 per year. The BLS 10th percentile is $37,000, while AAPC reports first-year specialists averaging $45,377.

Do you need a certification to work in medical billing and coding? 

Not legally, but most employers require or strongly prefer one. Certified professionals earn about $6,000 more per year than uncertified peers (AAPC 2025), and the CPC is the most widely requested credential in job postings.

Which certification pays the most for medical coding?

Among AAPC credentials, the CPCO (compliance officer) at $94,017 and CPPM (practice manager) at $84,521 top the 2025 averages. Among pure coding credentials, CPC-P ($81,957) and CIC ($76,354) lead.

Which pays more medical billing or medical coding?

Medical coding pays slightly more than medical billing in most cases. CPC holders averaged $67,147 vs $63,874 for CPB holders in AAPC’s 2025 data, and inpatient/specialty coding pays more still.

Can you work from home in medical billing and coding? 

Yes it is one of the strongest remote-work options in healthcare. Many hospitals and RCM companies operate fully remote coding and billing teams; only a computer, encoder software, and EHR access are needed.

How long does it take to become a medical biller and coder? 

Training programs typically take 9 to 18 months for a certificate; associate degree programs take about two years. New CPC holders start with the CPC-A apprentice designation until experience requirements are met.

What is the job outlook for medical billing and coding? 

The BLS projects 8% growth from 2025 to 2035 much faster than average with about 14,000 openings per year.

Which states pay medical billers and coders the most?

California ($61,810 median) and New York ($61,720 median) lead in BLS data; Wisconsin ($60,280) also ranks high. California’s 90th percentile reaches $102,470.

Conclusion

Medical billing and coding offers a median salary of $51,140 with a realistic path past $65,000–$80,000 for certified, experienced specialists — all without a four-year degree. Certification is the single biggest pay lever: earning the CPC (or stacking multiple credentials) can add $6,000 or more per year, and choosing the right state, employer type, and specialty compounds the gain. With 8% projected job growth and strong remote options, it remains one of the most accessible routes into a stable healthcare career in 2026.