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Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
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Medical Records Specialist
Overview
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks medical records specialists under SOC code 29-2072. As of May 2025 OEWS data, the median annual wage is $51,140 ($24.59/hr), with 194,720 workers employed nationwide. BLS projects employment to grow 7.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,200 openings expected each year.
Key Takeaways
- Median pay: $51,140 per year ($24.59/hr)
- Top 10% earn: more than $81,150 per year ($39.01/hr)
- Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $37,000 per year ($17.79/hr)
- Projected growth: 7.1% from 2024 to 2034
- Annual job openings: ~14,200 per year through 2034
- Workers employed nationwide: 194,720
- Highest-paying state: District of Columbia (median $72,040)
- State with most workers: Florida (21,490 employed)
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2024-2034. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.
Quick Answer
Training as a medical biller and coder usually takes 9 to 24 months. You complete a certificate program (about 9 to 12 months) or an associate degree (about 2 years), learn the ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS coding systems, and can earn an optional national certification such as the CPC (AAPC) or CCA (AHIMA). Most states do not require a license. The median medical records specialist salary is $51,140 per year ($24.59/hour), with about 14,200 openings nationwide each year (BLS, May 2025).
Medical billers and coders translate diagnoses, procedures, and treatments into the standardized codes used for insurance claims and patient records. If you are detail-oriented, tech-comfortable, and want into healthcare without years of school, this role offers a fast path with remote and hybrid options.
How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder
Most people enter the field in about 9 to 24 months, depending on whether they choose a certificate or a degree. There is no single national license to earn. You build the career through training, hands-on practice, and an optional certification that employers value.
Earn a High School Diploma or GED
A high school diploma or GED is the baseline requirement for nearly every medical billing and coding program. Before you enroll, it helps to build the skills the work depends on: careful reading, basic math, and comfort with computers. Classes in biology and anatomy give you a head start on the medical terminology you will study later, and any course that builds attention to detail is good preparation. Much of the job runs on software, including electronic health record (EHR) systems, claim-submission portals, and coding lookup tools, so being comfortable navigating applications and spreadsheets matters. If you are switching careers and already hold a diploma or a degree in another field, you can move straight to training. Many strong coders come from unrelated backgrounds and bring useful skills in organization, data entry, and customer service.
Complete a Medical Billing and Coding Program
This is the core of your preparation, and you have a few formats to choose from. Certificate programs take roughly 9 to 12 months and are popular with adults who want to enter the field quickly. Associate degree programs take about 2 years and combine general-education credits with coding-specific coursework, which can help with advancement later. Coursework typically covers medical terminology, human anatomy and physiology, the ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS code sets, insurance and reimbursement rules, and HIPAA privacy compliance. Many programs are available fully online, which lets working students learn at a flexible pace. When comparing schools, ask how the program prepares you for a certification exam and whether it includes practice with real coding scenarios. Confirm tuition and fees directly with each school, since costs vary widely by program and format.
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Practice Coding and Build Experience
Coursework teaches the rules, but accuracy comes from repetition. Look for a program that includes an externship or practicum, so you can apply codes to real or realistic patient records and claims under supervision. If a formal externship is not available, entry-level roles such as medical records clerk, billing assistant, or front-office staff in a clinic put you inside a healthcare setting where you can learn the workflow. As you practice, focus on reading clinical documentation carefully, choosing the correct ICD-10 and CPT codes, and understanding why a claim gets denied so you can prevent it. Speed matters, but accuracy matters more, because a single miscoded claim can delay payment or create compliance problems. The reps you build now are what let you pass a certification exam and reassure employers that you can do the work.
Earn a National Certification
Certification is usually voluntary, but many employers prefer or require it, and it can support higher pay. The most widely recognized credentials come from established organizations: the CPC (Certified Professional Coder) from AAPC, the CCA (Certified Coding Associate) and CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) from AHIMA, and the CBCS (Certified Billing and Coding Specialist) from the NHA. Entry-level coders often start with the CPC, CCA, or CBCS, then add advanced credentials as they gain experience. Each exam tests your knowledge of code sets, anatomy, and billing rules. Check current eligibility and exam details on the certifying organization’s website, since requirements and fees change. Some healthcare systems reimburse exam costs once you are hired, so it is worth asking employers about that benefit.
Apply for Jobs, Including Remote Roles
Hospitals, physician offices, outpatient clinics, insurance carriers, and large healthcare networks all hire billers and coders. Tailor your resume to highlight your certification, the code sets you know, and any externship or practice experience. Many roles are now remote or hybrid, especially for coders who hold a certification and have some experience, though entry-level positions are more likely to start on-site. Networking through professional associations and using their job boards can speed up your search. Once you land a role, on-the-job experience and additional certifications open the door to specialties such as inpatient coding, outpatient coding, medical auditing, and billing management.
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What Do Medical Billers and Coders Do?
Medical billers and coders work behind the scenes of healthcare, turning patient information into standardized data that drives treatment records, billing, and insurance reimbursement. Their work keeps hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices paid and running on time.
Typical Duties Include
- Reviewing patient charts and clinical documentation
- Assigning ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS medical codes
- Preparing and submitting insurance claims
- Ensuring HIPAA compliance and accurate recordkeeping
- Communicating with providers, patients, and insurance carriers
Many professionals specialize in hospital coding, physician offices, or outpatient care centers. Others work remotely for large healthcare networks.
Skills That Make Great Coders
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Understanding of medical terminology and anatomy
- Computer proficiency and EHR familiarity
- Discretion with confidential patient data
If you enjoy precision work, organization, and the healthcare field, this is a career where those strengths shine.
Work Environment and Career Options
Projected Job Growth for Medical Records Specialists
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Medical Billers And Coders Work In
- Hospitals and clinics
- Private practices
- Insurance companies
- Remote and home offices
Specializations Include
- Inpatient coding
- Outpatient coding
- Medical auditing
- Billing management
Certification and Licensing Requirements
While most states do not require a license, national certification improves job prospects and earning potential. Common certifying organizations include:
- AAPC (American Academy of Professional Coders): CPC, CPB, CPMA
- AHIMA (American Health Information Management Association): CCA, CCS, RHIT
- NHA (National Healthcareer Association): CBCS
Most employers prefer certified candidates, and some healthcare systems reimburse exam fees once you are hired. Confirm current eligibility and fees on each organization’s website.
Cost and Duration of Training
- Program cost: varies by program and school; certificate programs generally cost less than associate degree programs
- Time to complete: about 9 to 24 months
- Certification: optional but often preferred by employers
Many programs are available online, which helps students learn at a flexible pace. Confirm tuition and fees directly with each school before enrolling.
Pros and Cons of Medical Coding Careers
Pros
- Remote and hybrid job options
- Entry within about 1 to 2 years
- Stable, growing field
- No patient care duties
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