How Much Do Medical Coders Earn in 2025?

 U.S. Salary Snapshot

• Average pay: Around $42,442 per year (~$21.22/hour) for medical billing and coding roles as of mid-2025 combinehealth.aiCALRegional.
• Median salary (BLS category "medical records specialists"): About $50,250 annually (~$24.16/hour) Nurse.orgAll Allied Health Schools.
• Advanced medical coders: Average hourly rate is $29.99, translating to around $62,377 annually. Top earners can reach up to $87,500 in high-paying markets ZipRecruiter. Know More

Experience & Certification Pay Bump

• Entry-level roles typically start between $30K–$40K/year, or $15–$20/hour combinehealth.aiCALRegional.
• Mid-level coders (3–7 years) can earn $55K–$70K/year combinehealth.ai.
• Senior specialists with advanced credentials often earn $70K–$85K/year or more combinehealth.ai.
• Certification premium: Certified professionals earn approximately 8–8.5% more than non-certified peers combinehealth.ai+1.
• According to AAPC’s 2025 data:
• CPC holders: ~$66,415/year.
• COC credential: ~$73,183/year AAPC.
• Professionals without certification average around $61,022/year AAPC.

Geographic Differences Matter

• Highest-paying states include California, New York, and Alaska, with average salaries ranging from $60K to over $80K in some urban areas combinehealth.ai+1All Allied Health Schools.
• BLS data shows California’s median for medical records specialists can exceed $59,700, with top 10th percentile going beyond $100K All Allied Health Schools.
• ZipRecruiter’s 2025 snapshot highlights a range of city-specific pay — for example, high-paying locales include Nome, AK and Berkeley, CA, with annual pay near $75K–$77K ZipRecruiter.

Job Market & Growth Outlook

• The occupation is projected to grow by 8%–9% from 2023–2033 CALRegionalResearch.com.
• Pros of the field:
• Strong demand and job stability.
• Remote and flexible work options.
• Fast entry via certification.
• Career progression through certifications and specialization Research.com.
• Challenges include:
• Repetitive tasks and tight deadlines.
• Ongoing regulatory updates.
• Risk of automation impacting certain roles Research.com.

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Summary Table: U.S. Medical Coding Earnings (2025)

Experience / Credential Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry-level (uncertified)	$30K–$40K/year
Entry-level (certified)	$45K–$55K/year
Mid-level (3–7 years)	$55K–$70K/year
Senior / Specialist (certified)	$70K–$85K+/year
Advanced coders (average)	~$62K/year (up to $87K)
Median (BLS “medical records” role)	~$50K/year
Top-paying regions	$60K–$100K+ in select metro areas

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Key Opportunities & Advice for Aspiring Coders

1. Invest in certifications (e.g., CPC, COC, CCS)—they positively impact salary.
2. Specialize in complex coding areas like surgical or oncology coding to stand out.
3. Leverage location—remote options mean you can access higher-paying jobs without relocating, but moving can result in significant salary gains in itself.
4. Position yourself for remote or hospital system roles, which often pay more than smaller clinics.
5. Stay adaptive and upskill continuously, as regulation and technology continue to evolve.

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Final Thoughts

In 2025, medical coding remains a solid and flexible healthcare career. With strategic upskilling, certification, and choice of work setting and location, professionals can realistically advance from entry-level wages into mid-six-figure opportunities over time.