Is Medical Billing and Coding a Good Career?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 7% employment growth for medical records specialists from 2024 to 2034, faster than the average for all occupations. That translates to roughly 14,200 medical billing and coding jobs opening each year, driven by both new positions and the need to replace workers who retire or leave the field (BLS, Occupational Outlook Handbook).

Several factors support this demand. The U.S. population is aging, which means more healthcare encounters that need to be coded and billed. The expansion of insurance coverage, growth of outpatient services, and the ongoing shift to electronic health records all create sustained need for trained billing and coding professionals.

Automation is changing parts of this work. Computer-assisted coding (CAC) tools handle routine cases, and AI-driven systems continue to improve. But complex coding (surgical procedures, multi-diagnosis encounters, denials management) still requires human judgment. The BLS growth projection already accounts for these automation trends.

The median medical billing and coding salary is $50,250 per year (BLS, May 2024). Here's the full distribution: the 10th percentile earns $35,780, the 25th percentile earns $41,600, the 75th percentile earns $64,070, and the top 10% earn more than $80,950.

Certification makes a measurable difference. According to the AAPC 2025 Salary Survey, certified medical coding professionals earn an average of $66,979 per year, compared to $55,721 for non-certified workers, a 20.7% premium. Professionals with three or more credentials average $81,227.

Geography matters too. Top-paying states include DC ($76,990), California ($68,080), and Washington ($68,020). For more detailed salary data by state and credential, see our Medical Billing and Coding Salary Guide.

Fast entry without a four-year degree. Most entry-level positions require a postsecondary certificate (4-15 months) plus a professional certification. Total training cost can be as low as $1,500 to $3,000 at a community college. See our cost guide for full details.

Remote medical billing and coding jobs are genuinely available. Medical coding is one of the few healthcare careers that can be done entirely from home. Many employers, including large health systems, billing companies, and insurance carriers, hire remote coders. See our remote jobs guide for how to find these positions.

Job stability. Healthcare isn't going away. As long as insurance companies reimburse providers, someone needs to translate clinical services into billable codes. The BLS projects 194,800 total jobs with 7% growth through 2034.

Accessible career change. No prior healthcare experience is required. Medical billing and coding attracts career changers, parents returning to work, military spouses who need portable careers, and retirees looking for flexible part-time work.

Sedentary, desk-bound work. You'll spend most of your day sitting at a computer reading medical records and assigning codes. If you need physical activity or variety in your work environment, this may not be the right fit.

Repetitive tasks. Much of the daily work involves reviewing similar types of encounters and assigning codes from the same code sets. Complex cases provide variety, but a significant portion of the work follows predictable patterns.

Constant learning required. ICD-10-CM codes are updated annually. CPT codes change every January. Payer rules, compliance regulations, and documentation requirements evolve continuously. Falling behind on updates leads to claim denials and compliance risk.

Entry-level pay is modest. Starting salaries run $35,000 to $42,000. While certification and experience boost earnings, this isn't a path to six figures for most people without moving into management or specialized roles.

Automation pressure. Routine coding tasks are increasingly handled by computer-assisted coding tools. Future coders need to bring skills that software can't replicate: clinical judgment, auditing ability, and denial resolution expertise.

Medical billing and coding isn't a dead-end career, but advancement requires intentional effort and additional credentials. Here are the most common progression paths.

Specialty coding: Focus on high-complexity areas like inpatient hospital coding (CCS credential), risk adjustment (HCC coding), or specialty-specific coding (oncology, cardiology). Specialists earn more than generalists.

Coding auditor / compliance: Review other coders' work for accuracy and regulatory compliance. Requires deep coding knowledge and often the CCS or a specialty credential.

Revenue cycle management: Oversee the entire billing process from patient registration to final payment. These roles often require both coding and billing knowledge (CPC + CPB).

Health information management: Manage medical records systems and data governance at the organizational level. Requires a bachelor's degree and RHIA credential from AHIMA.