Home Medical Careers Medical Billing Coding

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

Author: Michael Hoffman, MA, JD

HealthcareNursingAdv Nursing

Editor: Jordan Cosselman

HealthcareOnline Learning

Updated: 12/05/2025

Medical Billing and Coding Careers: A Guide for Students

The following professionals lent their expertise to this article:

Author: Michael Hoffman, MA, JD

HealthcareNursingAdv Nursing

Editor: Jordan Cosselman

HealthcareOnline Learning

Updated: 12/05/2025

If you’re considering a career in medical billing and coding, you likely have questions about the education process and the career opportunities available after graduation. This guide will walk you through what to expect, where to start, and how to succeed in the field.

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Video Guide
Entry-Level Careers
Mid-Level Careers
Senior-Level Careers
Job Boards
Getting Your First Job

FIND PROGRAMS NEAR YOU:

Video Overview: What Medical Coders Actually Do

Prefer to watch a quick explainer? This video breaks down the core responsibilities of medical coders and shows how coding connects healthcare services, insurance claims, and reimbursement.

The healthcare industry is vast and complex, but every role – big or small – plays a crucial part. While medical billing and coding professionals aren’t surgeons or clinicians, their work is essential to the smooth functioning of healthcare organizations.

Accurate coding ensures:

Patients are billed correctly for services received
Providers and facilities are reimbursed promptly and properly

You may have been drawn to this career because of:

The flexibility of remote or hybrid positions
Advancement opportunities in hospitals, private practices, insurance companies, government agencies, and beyond

No matter your experience level, this guide offers the insider tips, tools, and career paths you need to thrive in medical billing and coding.

Getting Started: Entry-Level Careers in Medical Billing & Coding

If you’ve recently graduated, or are about to graduate, from a billing and coding program, you have multiple entry-level career options. While all fall under health information management, the responsibilities and education requirements differ slightly.

Certified Medical Billing/Coding Specialist

Education: Certificate program + certification exam
Typical employers: Hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, nonprofits, private practices
Average salary: $45,672 per year
Program length: Many online programs take 1 year or less to complete — some just a few weeks

Claims Coding Specialist

Responsibilities: Create coded data for insurance reimbursement (Medicare, Medicaid, private payers)
Requirements: Certification + 1–2 years of experience (per AHIMA)
Average salary: $57,000 per year

Health Information Clerk

Duties: Prepare reports, claims, and bills; collect patient and provider data; maintain accurate health records
Requirements: High school diploma + on-the-job training
Job outlook: Slight decline (2024–2034), but steady opportunities in healthcare remain
Average salary: $39,459 per year

Medical Coding Specialist

Role: Ensure medical records are complete, accurate, and compliant with coding systems
Requirements: ART or CCS certification, or equivalent education/experience
Average salary: $58,510 per year

Medical Records Analyst

Focus: Manage and interpret patient data to improve systems and efficiency
Education: Training in health informatics or health information management (CAHIIM-accredited
Average salary: $53,397 per year

Medical Records Clerk

Responsibilities: Maintain and release patient records while ensuring HIPAA compliance
Education: High school diploma (training or certification optional
Average salary: $36,159 per year

Medical Records Coordinator

Role: Process, maintain, and secure medical records; may also perform coding tasks
Requirements: High school diploma + relevant experience or degree
Average salary: $41,392 per year

Medical Records Technician

Duties: Use software to organize and secure patient information (lab reports, x-rays, etc.)
Education: High school diploma (degree preferred)
Average salary: $44,324 per year

Next Steps: Mid-Level Careers in Billing & Coding

Once you’ve gained experience, you can advance into supervisory and specialized roles with higher pay and responsibility.

Coding Supervisors & Revenue Cycle Managers

Revenue Cycle Managers: Oversee payment processes and prevent overbilling
Coding Supervisors: Manage coding staff, monitor productivity, and improve processes
Average salaries:
- Revenue Cycle Manager: $120,205/year
- Coding Supervisor: $68,683/year

Coding Supervisors & Revenue Cycle Managers

Focus: Advocate for patients by reviewing and negotiating medical bills
Responsibilities: Identify billing errors, arrange discounts or payment plans
Average salary: $42,673 per year

Coding Supervisors & Revenue Cycle Managers

Role: Teach coding systems (ICD-10, CPT) in vocational schools, colleges, or healthcare settings
Average salary: $42,499 per year

Coding Supervisors & Revenue Cycle Managers

Responsibilities: Audit, advise, and ensure compliance within healthcare organizations
Work type: Often temporary or project-based
Average salary: $148,159 per year

Moving Up: Senior-Level Careers

If you’re ready to take your career to the top, senior-level positions offer higher pay, leadership roles, and strategic responsibilities.

Chief Health Information Officer / Director of Revenue Cycle

Role: Oversee organization-wide data systems and revenue operations
Hours: Long and variable; often on call
Average salaries:
- Chief Information Officer: $148,746/year
- Revenue Cycle Director: $120,205/year

Director of Health Information Management

Responsibilities:

Develop procedures for data storage and protection
Select information systems
Train staff
Ensure legal and regulatory compliance

Average salary: $105,973 per year

Find Your First Job: Top Career Boards

When you’re ready to job hunt, skip the generic sites. These industry-specific job boards focus on healthcare careers:

AHIMA: Job board for certified health information professionals.
AAPC: Largest U.S. accrediting body for coders; free job board with profile creation.
AMBA: Job listings plus continuing education for medical billers and coders.
Health Career Center: Connects healthcare employers and job seekers (remote and in-person).
Health eCareers: Longstanding job site with career fair listings.
HospitalJobs.com: Focused on hospital positions with career advice.
Hospital Recruiting: Job board for healthcare professionals with one-click applications.
Miracle Workers (CareerBuilder): Healthcare-specific listings + resume builder.
PrideStaff: Staffing firm with temporary and direct-hire healthcare roles.

How to Land Your First Job

You’ve trained, earned your certification, and identified your ideal roles. Now it’s time to stand out. Follow these 5 proven tips:

1. Emphasize Accuracy & Attention to Detail

Billing and coding errors can lead to serious financial and legal issues. Showcase your precision and reliability on your resume and in interviews.

2. Get Certified

Certification boosts both job prospects and pay.

According to the AAPC (2025), certified specialists earn 8.5% more than non-certified peers.
Many employers cover certification costs—check your organization’s policies.

3. Highlight Relevant Experience

List any experience with ICD-10 or CPT codes, even from volunteer or internship work. Show familiarity with healthcare records or billing systems.

4. Join a Professional Association

Membership in AHIMA, AAPC, or similar groups helps you:

Network with employers and mentors
Access exclusive job listings
Stay current on industry updates

5. Stay Open to Growth

Healthcare technology is evolving quickly.

Be flexible, embrace new tools and systems, and maintain a positive, adaptable attitude — it’s often as valuable as your credentials.

Michael Hoffman, MA, JD AUTHOR

Michael Hoffman has authored close to 300 articles for higher education publications, including over 140 for EduMed across nursing and allied health. He's interviewed and collaborated with hundreds of active healthcare professionals and students. Michael holds degrees from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara College of Law. Before his writing career, he practiced as a civil litigator in Los Angeles and worked as a development executive for a major film producer in Santa Monica, California.

Read More About Michael Hoffman

Jordan Cosselman EDITOR

Jordan Cosselman is an editor with a BA in English from the University of Nevada, Reno. Since joining EduMed in 2021, she has been focused on making nursing and allied health education more approachable for students at every stage of their journey. With three years of experience in healthcare education content, Jordan is especially interested in highlighting low-cost, fast-track pathways into the field.

Read More About Jordan Cosselman