CareerFacts

All careers › Medical Records Specialists

Medical coder: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$51,140median pay per year, or $24.59 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $37,000lowest 10% earn less
  2. $43,49025th percentile
  3. $51,140median
  4. $64,82075th percentile
  5. $81,150top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

The median pay for medical records specialists, a group that includes medical coders, was $51,140 a year[1][2]. Jobs are projected to grow 7.8% from 2025 to 2035[3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+7.8%[3]
Openings per year
14,000[6]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[7]

How much do medical coders make?

The official BLS category is Medical Records Specialists, and it includes medical coders[2]. In May 2025, the median wage was $51,140 a year, or $24.59 an hour[1]. The median is the midpoint. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average wage was $56,790 a year, or $27.30 an hour[8].

For comparison, the median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[5]. So the median for this job sits close to the all-occupations figure[1][5].

Pay varies a lot within the job. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $37,000 a year[4]. The highest-paid 10% earned more than $81,150[4]. BLS explains that a percentile is a boundary, and that it publishes percentile wages rather than a starting salary[9].

Level Annual wage Hourly wage
10th percentile[4][10] $37,000 $17.79
25th percentile[4][10] $43,490 $20.91
Median[1] $51,140 $24.59
75th percentile[4][10] $64,820 $31.17
90th percentile[4][10] $81,150 $39.01

These figures cover wage and salary workers. They leave out the self-employed and do not count bonuses or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[11]. About 1% of medical records specialists were self-employed in 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the highest median wage at $72,040, followed by Rhode Island at $63,960 and Hawaii at $63,180[13]. At the other end, Mississippi had a median of $41,500 and Arkansas $41,740[13].

Florida had the most jobs at 21,490, then California at 18,700 and Texas at 17,210[14]. Florida's median was $45,760, while California's was $61,810[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA had the highest median at $86,890[15]. Vallejo, CA followed at $82,230, then Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA at $75,150[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs at 8,090 and a median of $61,190[16]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim came next with 7,240 jobs and a median of $59,110[16].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[13]$72,040270
Rhode Island$63,960650
Hawaii$63,180400
Washington$62,2705,010
California$61,81018,700
New York$61,7209,080
Minnesota$61,5303,150
Alaska$61,0901,070
Connecticut$60,9401,120
Massachusetts$60,3503,500
Wisconsin$60,2802,870
Colorado$59,0201,780
Oregon$59,0002,560
Vermont$57,560n/a
New Mexico$57,4701,400
Illinois$56,4405,740
Delaware$56,060610
South Carolina$54,2802,750
Maryland$54,2202,440
Wyoming$54,210280
Idaho$53,4601,490
Oklahoma$53,4602,480
Virginia$53,2904,630
Utah$52,8701,910
Maine$52,0901,000
Nebraska$51,6701,640
South Dakota$51,610900
Georgia$51,5505,930
Ohio$50,9907,440
Missouri$50,7503,890
Iowa$50,6402,250
Nevada$50,3002,350
New Jersey$50,2404,450
Montana$50,190820
North Carolina$49,6206,760
New Hampshire$49,210930
Texas$48,86017,210
Tennessee$48,7804,440
Kentucky$48,4104,210
Kansas$48,1602,030
Michigan$48,1204,890
Indiana$47,6705,860
Arizona$47,6303,750
West Virginia$47,3601,260
Pennsylvania$46,8406,970
North Dakota$46,280520
Florida$45,76021,490
Louisiana$44,6102,600
Alabama$43,8102,330
Arkansas$41,7401,920
Mississippi$41,5002,310

How to become a medical coder

BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education for entry. It lists no work experience and no on-the-job training as typical[7]. The Occupational Outlook Handbook adds that some people qualify with a high school diploma, and that others might need an associate's degree[17]. Some employers want a certificate or a degree, while a diploma plus healthcare experience can be enough for some jobs[18].

1) Take useful classes in high school[19]. Biology, computer science and anatomy are named as helpful[19]. 2) Complete a certificate or associate's degree program[20]. Community colleges and technical schools offer them, and they typically cover medical terminology, health data standards and coding systems[20]. 3) Look into certification[21]. Employers may prefer certified workers, or they may expect new hires to earn certification soon after being hired[21]. Certifications usually involve an exam and can require earlier experience or education[22]. 4) Plan for growth if you want it[23]. With a higher certification or a health information technology degree, specialists may move into roles such as health information technologist or medical registrar. Requirements vary by facility[23].

The facts we use do not say how long training takes or what it costs.

BLS also names qualities that matter in this job. These are analytical skills, attention to detail, integrity with patient data, and the ability to talk with physicians and finance staff[24][25][26][27].

What medical coders do

The job centers on keeping patient records accurate, private and usable. It also involves sorting diagnoses, procedures and services into the numerical codes the healthcare system uses[2]. Typical tasks include:

Workers report job titles such as medical coder, health information technician and medical records clerk[29].

Where they work

Hospitals were the largest employer, with 28% of medical records specialists in 2025[30]. The work is typically done at a computer[31]. Most medical records specialists work full time[32]. In facilities that never close, such as hospitals, specialists may work shifts that include nights or weekends[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of medical records specialists to grow 7.8% from 2025 to 2035[3]. That is from about 200,700 to 216,300 jobs, or 15,600 more[3]. Growth for all occupations is projected at 3.5% over the same period[33]. These projection counts include self-employed workers[3], so they differ from the 194,720 wage and salary jobs counted in the May 2025 wage survey[34].

About 14,000 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include jobs created when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 3.2% of workers leave the labor force and 2.7% move to a different occupation[35].

BLS says demand should rise as health care use grows and coding becomes more complex. It also says AI-based tools that make coding more efficient will partly offset that demand[36].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job with pay near the middle of the US wage scale and 10th to 90th percentile wages from $37,000 to $81,150[1][4][5]. Entry usually asks for a postsecondary award rather than a degree, with no work experience typical[7]. The work is done at a computer and calls for precision with records, as the BLS qualities list shows[25][31]. Projected growth is above the all-occupations rate, though AI tools are expected to cut into demand to some degree[3][33][36]. Pay depends on where you work, with state medians from $41,500 to $72,040[13].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a medical coder make an hour?
The median wage for medical records specialists, which includes medical coders, was $24.59 an hour in May 2025[1][2]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $17.79 and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $39.01[10].
What education do you need to be a medical coder?
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education[7]. Some people qualify with a high school diploma and others might need an associate's degree[17].
Is medical coding in demand?
BLS projects 7.8% job growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[3][33]. About 14,000 openings a year are projected[6]. AI-based tools are expected to partly offset demand[36].
What is the highest paying state for medical coders?
The District of Columbia, with a median of $72,040 a year[13]. Rhode Island ($63,960) and Hawaii ($63,180) follow[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Medical Records Specialists in the US was $51,140 per year and $24.59 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. O*NET description of Medical Records Specialists. O*NET OnLine
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Medical Records Specialists is projected to grow 7.8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 200,700 to 216,300 jobs (a change of +15,600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Medical Records Specialists: 10th percentile $37,000, 25th percentile $43,490, 75th percentile $64,820, 90th percentile $81,150. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 14,000 openings for Medical Records Specialists are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Medical Records Specialists: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Medical Records Specialists was $56,790 per year and $27.30 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Medical Records Specialists: 10th percentile $17.79, 25th percentile $20.91, 75th percentile $31.17, 90th percentile $39.01. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 1% of Medical Records Specialists were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Medical Records Specialists in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Medical Records Specialists jobs: Florida 21,490; California 18,700; Texas 17,210; New York 9,080; Ohio 7,440. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Medical Records Specialists (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $86,890; Vallejo, CA $82,230; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $75,150; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $74,400; New Haven, CT $67,290; Iowa City, IA $66,340; Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $65,730; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $65,530. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Medical Records Specialists jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 8,090 (median $61,190); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 7,240 (median $59,110); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 5,210 (median $52,140); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 4,530 (median $49,010); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 4,510 (median $57,970); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 3,680 (median $51,250). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. O*NET task list for Medical Records Specialists. O*NET OnLine
  29. O*NET 29-2072.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Coder, Health Information Clerk, Health Information Specialist, Health Information Technician (Health Information Tech), Health Records Specialist, HIM Clerk (Health Information Management Clerk), Medical Coder, Medical Records Clerk. O*NET OnLine
  30. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of medical records specialists in 2025: Hospitals; state, local, and private 28%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 194,720 people were employed as Medical Records Specialists in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  35. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Medical Records Specialists: 3.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  36. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Medical Records Specialists: Demand change, productivity change - share increases as the demand for health care services and complexity of medical coding grow. This demand for medical records specialists will be partially offset by the use of artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools that make the medical coding process more efficient. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.