Coding Salary: How Much Do Coders Earn in 2024?

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Use this article to compare coding salaries for health care and computer science professionals.

[Featured Image] Side view of a young IT professional wearing a headset, typing at a laptop, and using a second computer monitor while coding at a coworking office space.

Depending on your job title, a coder in the US can earn between $49,000 and $94,000 per year. Both medical and computer coding skills can offer lucrative career paths depending on the industry, location, and experience level. Use the following article to explore coding salaries, the factors influencing them, and how to increase yours.

Read more: What is a Medical Coder?

Medical billing and coding salary

The average salary range for medical coders in the US is between $49,000 and $74,000 per year [1]. On average, medical billers and coders earn $8,164 in additional pay per year, which may include bonuses, commissions, or profit-sharing.

Certified coding specialist salary

Health care professionals with medical coding certifications have higher earning potential, with an average annual salary range of $54,000 to $85,000. The additional pay average for this role, including bonuses, profit-sharing, or commissions, is $8,423 [2].

Read more: What Is a Community Health Worker Certification, and How Can You Get One?

Computer coding salary

The average annual salary range for coders in the technology field is between $52,000 and $94,000 [3]. On average, computer coders earn $10,339 in additional pay per year, which may include bonuses, commissions, or profit sharing.

Read more: 8 Types of Coding Jobs (+ Tips to Get Hired)

Software coding salary

While coders typically focus on writing code based on given instructions, software developers use specialized skills to write more complex code based on project requirements and problems that need solving. A job as a coder can be an excellent stepping stone to a career in software development, which may help increase your salary. Software developers in the United States earn an annual salary between $83,000 and $126,000, with the potential to earn $29,369 in additional pay [4].

Read more: What Does a Software Developer Do? Career Overview + Outlook

Factors influencing coding salary

Your compensation as a coder ultimately depends on your experience, field of expertise, location, and company. To get a good idea of what you might earn as a coder, consider where you want to work, what type of coding job you want to pursue, your level of education, and how much experience you have.

Location insights

Keep in mind that the cost of living can greatly influence salary. Check out the median salary and employment insights by state for medical records specialists and computer coders using the following resources:

Education

Formal college degrees can be helpful but are not always required for a coding career. Academic credentials and certificates may help you earn a higher salary by qualifying you for more advanced roles. You can also use them to build in-demand skills and distinguish your resume from other candidates in the job market.

Read more: Guide to Health Care Administration Careers

Medical coding education requirements

Forty-eight percent of medical coders have a high school diploma, 11 percent have a certificate, and 41% have an associate degree [5].

Popular areas of study:

Read more: Information Systems vs. Information Technology (IS vs. IT)

Popular certificates and certifications:

Read more: Your Guide to Nursing Degrees and Certifications

Computer coding education requirements

Education requirements for coders vary. Sixty percent of computer programmers earn a bachelor's degree, 22 percent have an associate degree, 10 percent have a master's degree, and three percent have a high school diploma [6].

Popular areas of study:

Popular certificates and certifications:

Read more: Free IT Certifications and Courses to Elevate Your Career

Experience level

As you work in the field, you’ll gain knowledge and experience, which may mean a better salary. Review the typical average salaries based on years of experience as a medical biller and coder according to Glassdoor as of October 2024:

Medical biller and coder annual salary by experience:

  • 0–1 year (entry-level positions): $55,000

  • 1–3 years: $57,000

  • 4–6 years: $60,000

  • 7–9 years: $63,000

Computer coder annual salary by experience:

  • 0–1 year (entry-level positions): $59,000

  • 1–3 years: $61,000

  • 4–6 years: $64,000

  • 7–9 years: $67,000

Advance your coding career with Coursera

Prepare for your career in the medical coding industry by enrolling in the offered by MedCerts on Coursera. In about 1 month, you can learn critical medical and insurance terminology and familiarize yourself with the revenue cycle while earning a certificate for your study. 

Or, sharpen your programming skills with an industry leader in technology by earning the Amazon Junior Software Developer Professional Certificate:

Article sources

1. 

Glassdoor. "How much do medical coders and billers make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Career/medical-coder-career_KO0,13.htm." Accessed October 22, 2024.

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