Use this article to compare coding salaries for health care and computer science professionals.
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?
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.
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?
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)
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
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.
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:
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
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
specialization
Gain the Medical Billing and Coding Fundamentals. Prepare for a career in the Medical Billing industry by gaining an understanding of the language of insurance, revenue cycles, and more.
4.8
(1,016 ratings)
39,717 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 1 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Medical Ethics, Payment Processing, Medical language, Emotional Strength, Professional Communication, human anatomy, Medical Coding, Patient Interaction, Medical Billing, Insurance Verification, Medical Terminology, Understanding Revenue, Knowledge of Major Diseases, Understanding Revenue Cycles, Diversity and Cultural Bias Training
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:
Computer information systems
Business
Popular certificates and certifications:
Read more: Free IT Certifications and Courses to Elevate Your Career
professional certificate
Launch your career as a Junior Software Developer. Build job-ready skills for an in-demand career in software development in as little as 4 months. No prior experience or degree required to get started.
4.6
(127 ratings)
16,809 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 4 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Software Development, Java Programming, Generative AI, SQL Database Management, Full-Stack Web Development, Java Database Connectivity, Databases, SQL Queries, Recursion, Algorithms, Java Structures, Frontend Development, Full-Stack Development, Backend Systems, JavaScript, Web APIs, Executing Java Code, Java Development Environment, Software Development Lifecycle, Object-Oriented Programming, Testing and Debugging, Software Project Planning and Design, Agile Software Development, Version Control, Document a Requirements Analysis, Bug Detection, Coding Automation, Decision-making, Decision-Making, Performance Evaluation, Task Optimization, Java Coding, Serialization, Classes, Deserialization Techniques, Exception Handling
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
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.
specialization
Gain the Medical Billing and Coding Fundamentals. Prepare for a career in the Medical Billing industry by gaining an understanding of the language of insurance, revenue cycles, and more.
4.8
(1,016 ratings)
39,717 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 1 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Medical Ethics, Payment Processing, Medical language, Emotional Strength, Professional Communication, human anatomy, Medical Coding, Patient Interaction, Medical Billing, Insurance Verification, Medical Terminology, Understanding Revenue, Knowledge of Major Diseases, Understanding Revenue Cycles, Diversity and Cultural Bias Training
Or, sharpen your programming skills with an industry leader in technology by earning the Amazon Junior Software Developer Professional Certificate:
professional certificate
Launch your career as a Junior Software Developer. Build job-ready skills for an in-demand career in software development in as little as 4 months. No prior experience or degree required to get started.
4.6
(127 ratings)
16,809 already enrolled
Beginner level
Average time: 4 month(s)
Learn at your own pace
Skills you'll build:
Software Development, Java Programming, Generative AI, SQL Database Management, Full-Stack Web Development, Java Database Connectivity, Databases, SQL Queries, Recursion, Algorithms, Java Structures, Frontend Development, Full-Stack Development, Backend Systems, JavaScript, Web APIs, Executing Java Code, Java Development Environment, Software Development Lifecycle, Object-Oriented Programming, Testing and Debugging, Software Project Planning and Design, Agile Software Development, Version Control, Document a Requirements Analysis, Bug Detection, Coding Automation, Decision-making, Decision-Making, Performance Evaluation, Task Optimization, Java Coding, Serialization, Classes, Deserialization Techniques, Exception Handling
Glassdoor. "How much do medical coders and billers make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Career/medical-coder-career_KO0,13.htm." Accessed October 22, 2024.
Glassdoor. "How much does a certified coding specialist make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/certified-coding-specialist-salary-SRCH_KO0,27.htm." Accessed October 22, 2024.
Glassdoor. "How much does a computer coder make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/coder-salary-SRCH_KO0,5.htm." Accessed October 22, 2024.
Glassdoor. "How much does a software developer make? https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/software-developer-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm." Accessed October 22, 2024.
Zippia. "Medical Coder Education Requirements, https://www.zippia.com/medical-coder-jobs/education/." Accessed October 22, 2024.
Zippia. "Computer Programmer Education Requirements, https://www.zippia.com/computer-programmer-jobs/education/." Accessed October 22, 2024.
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