Mid-Level

Medical Billing Coder

Medical billing coders assign billing codes to clinical documentation โ€” translating diagnoses and procedures into the codes that claims and reimbursement depend on.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
C
S
I
R
E
A
Conventionalorganizing, detail-oriented
Socialhelping, teaching
Based on Holland Code framework
Job markets for Medical Billing Coders
Employment concentration ยท ~400 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like

What it's like to be a Medical Billing Coder

A typical day involves steady coding work โ€” reviewing records, applying codes, and processing claims. Both productivity and accuracy are measured.

Collaboration involves providers (when documentation needs clarification), billing teams, and sometimes auditors. What's harder than expected is keeping up with code changes โ€” medical coding evolves and ongoing learning is part of the job.

People who thrive tend to be methodical, accurate, and content with focused detail work. If you find satisfaction in clean coding that supports good revenue cycle, the role often fits.

RelationshipsAbove avg
SupportModerate
Working ConditionsLower
AchievementLower
RecognitionLower
IndependenceLower
O*NET Work Values survey
โœฆ Editorial โ€” written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape โ€” and where it can take you.

$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Medical Billing Coders (SOC 29-2072.00, 43-6013.00), not just this title ยท BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Also appears in: Admin & Office
Exploring the Medical Billing Coder career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit โ€” and plan your path forward.
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โœฆ Editorial โ€” career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape โ€” helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$35Kโ€“$81K
Salary Range
10th โ€“ 90th percentile
1.0M
U.S. Employment
+5.65%
10yr Growth
100K
Annual Openings

How this category is changing

$74K$71K$68K$65K$62K201920202021202220232024$62K$74K
BLS OEWS May 2024 ยท BLS Employment Projections 2024โ€“2034

Skills & Requirements

SpeakingActive ListeningService OrientationReading ComprehensionCoordinationTime ManagementWritingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingSocial Perceptiveness
O*NET OnLine ยท Bureau of Labor Statistics
29-2072.0043-6013.00

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) ยท BLS Employment Projections ยท O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.