Medical Billing and Coding Certification Salary: What You Can Earn
This guide breaks that down clearly. We’ll cover exactly how certification, years of experience, job setting, and even your state impact your earning power. You’ll also see the difference between certified and non-certified pay, how dual certification affects starting salary, and what experienced professionals make in both billing and coding roles.
Whether you're just starting out or planning to level up, this is your no-fluff breakdown of what medical billing and coding professionals are actually getting paid in 2025—and how to position yourself for top-tier offers. If you're serious about income and career growth, this is where it starts.
Entry-Level vs Experienced Salary Ranges
Salary in medical billing and coding isn’t static—it shifts sharply based on certification status, job type, and experience timeline. Entry-level coders without credentials can earn well below industry averages, while certified professionals with 3–5 years of hands-on work often break into higher brackets faster than many administrative healthcare roles.
First-Year Coders, Certified vs Non-Certified
Newcomers entering the field without certification typically start in front-desk, data entry, or support coding roles, often earning between $15–$18 per hour, depending on the setting. These roles don’t require CPC or CPB, but the lack of certification limits how quickly you can be promoted or transition to independent coding tasks.
On the other hand, entry-level coders with a CPC or CPB earn significantly more, starting at $21–$26 per hour in most U.S. states. This difference is more than just pay—it affects access to remote positions, coding accuracy bonuses, and eligibility for higher-level roles like charge capture, claim review, and audit support.
Employers often reserve coding and billing positions for candidates who are already certified, particularly when they're dealing with:
Medicare/Medicaid reimbursements
Risk-adjusted documentation
Surgical or specialty coding
Certified new hires are perceived as lower risk and faster to onboard. If you complete your certification through a program like AMBCI’s CPC + CPB, you’ll also walk in with mock claims, graded audits, and specialty coding samples—making you far more competitive at the entry level.
Another factor influencing early-career pay is the setting in which you work. Large hospitals or national RCM firms typically offer better starting packages compared to solo practices or rural clinics. In some states, certified first-year coders are offered benefits packages and productivity bonuses that push total compensation past the $50K mark within the first 12 months.
Salary After 3–5 Years with CPC/CPB
Once you’ve passed the two-year mark and hold a CPC, CPB, or both, your pay scale expands significantly. Most coders and billers with 3–5 years of experience command base salaries between $56,000 and $72,000 per year, especially if they’ve cross-trained in multiple specialties or gained workflow experience with common EHR systems like Epic, Cerner, or Athenahealth.
By year three, dual-certified professionals often:
Transition into audit-prep, lead coder, or denial analyst roles
Gain access to remote full-time coding contracts, many starting at $30–$35 per hour
Qualify for hiring bonuses at enterprise-level clinics or payers
Specialty experience also plays a major role. If you’ve coded for higher-complexity areas like orthopedics, cardiology, or mental health billing, your compensation is likely to trend toward the higher end of the scale—especially in outpatient and ambulatory settings.
Those who’ve earned both CPC and CPB often see a 20–30% bump in earning potential compared to peers with a single cert, simply because they can work across the full revenue cycle. In high-demand markets, this combo enables mid-level coders to secure roles paying $70K+ with full benefits, remote flexibility, and quarterly incentives.
By the five-year mark, coders with strong documentation accuracy and payer familiarity may also begin to branch into roles like:
Coding supervisor or QA reviewer
Payer-side analyst for pre-authorization review
Independent contractor, billing per chart or per provider panel
The difference between an average earner and a high-tier coder at this stage often comes down to how well their certification is backed by measurable work samples, specialty experience, and clean claim performance.
Salaries by Role and Setting
Where you work as a certified medical biller or coder is just as important as what credential you hold. Salary expectations shift dramatically between hospital systems, private practices, insurance companies, and remote coding firms—and each environment comes with different expectations, incentives, and advancement paths.
Hospital vs Private Practice vs Remote Jobs
Hospital-Based Roles
Hospitals generally offer the highest starting salaries and the most opportunity for structured advancement. Entry-level certified coders in hospital systems often start at $50,000 to $58,000 annually, with productivity-based bonuses and full benefits. After three years, CPC-certified coders in inpatient and outpatient departments often earn $65,000 to $78,000, especially when working with multiple specialties or surgical claims.
Hospitals tend to pay more because the claims are more complex. You’ll often deal with multi-code encounters, modifier logic, and time-based documentation, requiring tighter compliance with payer rules. These positions usually require familiarity with Epic or Cerner, as well as live audit prep.
Private Practice Roles
Small to mid-sized practices typically pay lower—$42,000 to $55,000 depending on the region and size of the organization. But these roles come with their own perks. They often allow you to:
Wear multiple hats (billing, coding, insurance follow-up)
Build strong payer communication skills
Advance into office management or RCM lead positions faster
Because the environment is less rigid, private practices are ideal for those who’ve completed CPB certification and want to develop direct claim management experience.
Practices that focus on high-volume specialties (e.g., dermatology, OB/GYN, gastroenterology) tend to pay better than family medicine or urgent care due to reimbursement complexity and revenue dependence on accurate documentation.
Remote Coding and Billing Jobs
Remote roles have grown exponentially post-2020 and now make up over 35% of all coding job listings in the U.S. Certified coders working remotely typically earn $28–$38 per hour, with project-based contracts or salaried roles ranging from $58,000 to $82,000 annually.
Remote workers are expected to operate independently, maintain high accuracy, and often work across multiple specialties. The best-paying remote roles usually require:
Dual certification (CPC + CPB)
At least 2–3 years of experience
Strong familiarity with multiple payer systems and clearinghouses
Freelance and fully remote coders who’ve trained through programs like AMBCI’s CPC + CPB often build portfolios during the course itself—giving them an edge in cold applications and interviews.
| Experience / Setting | Role Type | Certification | Expected Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0–1 Year) | Support Coding / Front Desk | None | $15–$18/hr | Limited growth potential without CPC/CPB; low promotion speed |
| Medical Biller or Coder (Certified) | CPC or CPB | $21–$26/hr | Access to remote roles, bonuses, and better hiring pools | |
| Mid-Level (3–5 Years) | Coder / Biller (Multiple Specialties) | CPC or CPB | $56K–$72K | High accuracy, workflow fluency, and audit prep boost pay |
| Dual-Certified Coder/Biller | CPC + CPB | $65K–$78K+ | Often moves into lead coder, denial analyst, or audit roles | |
| Hospital Systems | Inpatient/Outpatient Coder | CPC or CPC+CPB | $50K–$78K | Higher pay for complex claims, multi-code handling, and Epic/Cerner skills |
| Private Practice | Billing/Coding + Admin Hybrid | CPB preferred | $42K–$55K | Faster advancement; ideal for learning payer systems hands-on |
| Remote Coding/Billing | Freelance / Full-Time Contract | CPC + CPB + 2+ yrs exp | $28–$38/hr $58K–$82K salaried |
Requires independence, accuracy, and multi-payer knowledge |
Certifications That Boost Your Earnings
No matter how motivated you are or how many years you’ve worked in healthcare, your certification is the single most important factor in how much you’ll earn as a medical biller or coder. Credentials prove you understand the rules, know how to follow them, and can operate without needing weeks of on-the-job correction.
AAPC Certs, CPB, CPC, Dual Paths
1. CPC (Certified Professional Coder)
The CPC is the industry’s most respected coding credential for outpatient, ambulatory, and physician practice roles. It’s the credential that hiring managers search for first—and that automated systems often use to screen resumes. A certified CPC typically earns:
$8,000–$12,000 more per year than a non-certified coder in the same role
Eligibility for remote and multi-specialty roles
Access to specialty coding bonuses or per-claim incentive programs
Holding a CPC alone puts you in the running for positions that would otherwise be restricted to seasoned professionals.
2. CPB (Certified Professional Biller)
The CPB focuses on the revenue-side mechanics—how to submit clean claims, handle denials, manage appeals, and oversee payer communication. It’s ideal for roles in billing departments, solo practices, or contract-based insurance management.
CPB holders earn:
$5,000–$9,000 more per year than uncertified billing staff
Priority placement in insurance follow-up and denial management teams
A direct route into freelance and small business medical billing
While CPC proves you can document and code, CPB shows that you can ensure providers actually get paid.
3. Dual Certification (CPC + CPB)
Coders and billers who earn both CPC and CPB dramatically increase their salary ceiling. Why? Because they’re no longer limited to one side of the revenue cycle—they understand how documentation flows into reimbursement, and how coding decisions affect claim approvals.
Dual-certified professionals are more likely to:
Be hired into hybrid billing/coding positions with starting salaries of $60K–$72K
Negotiate for higher pay in remote roles, especially in RCM firms
Be promoted into lead roles in under three years
Programs like AMBCI’s CPC + CPB certification package both credentials into a streamlined training path. That allows you to complete both certifications faster and at a lower cost than taking separate programs, and it’s one of the few setups designed specifically for those who want top-tier income outcomes.
Location-Based Salary Variations
Your zip code can affect your salary as much as your certification. Even with the same CPC or CPB credential, coders and billers in high-demand markets often earn 30–50% more than those in lower-cost, lower-volume regions. While remote work has leveled the playing field slightly, location still drives pay due to local payer complexity, state funding, and population health demand.
States with Highest Demand and Pay
Across the U.S., certain states consistently report higher average salaries for certified medical billing and coding professionals due to healthcare infrastructure density, number of specialist clinics, and system-wide complexity. These include:
1. California
Certified coders in California routinely earn $65,000 to $85,000+, especially in metro areas like Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. Hospitals, specialty clinics, and academic medical centers dominate here, creating demand for dual-certified professionals who can handle high-volume, multi-payer environments.
The cost of living is high—but so is the salary floor, especially for remote roles based in California systems.
2. New York
With dozens of hospital systems and multi-specialty practices, New York offers average CPC/CPB salaries of $60,000 to $78,000. Experience with Medicaid-heavy populations, risk-adjusted coding, and telehealth billing gives coders an edge. New York is also home to many RCM firms that staff nationally, offering hybrid and remote positions with NYC-based salary structures.
3. Texas and Florida
These states have a growing healthcare sector and are experiencing a surge in outpatient and telehealth providers, driving demand for certified coders who understand compliance and volume management. Average salaries range from $54,000 to $70,000, with room to grow fast for those who specialize.
4. Remote Roles With Location-Based Pay
Many companies offering fully remote billing and coding jobs now use geo-based compensation models. That means someone living in a lower-cost state like Missouri or Ohio may be offered $52,000–$58,000, while the same position offered to someone in New Jersey or Washington could pay $65,000–$75,000, even if both candidates are CPC certified.
That said, dual-certified candidates with specialty coding experience often break through geo caps, especially when applying to multi-state or payer-level companies.
| Credential / Region | Typical Salary Range | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| CPC (Certified Professional Coder) | $50,000–$70,000 |
+$8K–$12K vs non-certified Required for most outpatient coding roles Opens remote & specialty coding opportunities |
| CPB (Certified Professional Biller) | $48,000–$65,000 |
+$5K–$9K vs uncertified billers Valuable for solo clinics, denials, payer-side billing Enables freelance or home-based billing setups |
| Dual Cert: CPC + CPB | $60,000–$78,000+ |
Unlocks full revenue cycle roles Higher salary ceiling & faster promotions Competitive edge in RCM and remote firms |
| California | $65,000–$85,000+ |
High demand in large health systems Dual certs + specialty = major pay bump Remote coders hired at CA wage rates |
| New York | $60,000–$78,000 |
RCM hubs, hospital networks, hybrid jobs Risk-adjusted and Medicaid billing valued NYC firms pay remote coders at metro rates |
| Texas / Florida | $54,000–$70,000 |
Telehealth and outpatient clinic growth High coding volume = fast skill growth Certs + specialization drive quick salary jumps |
| Remote (Geo-Based Pay) | $52,000–$75,000 |
Salaries adjust based on location Dual-cert coders often bypass geo caps EHR fluency + mock claim portfolio give edge |
Freelance, Contract, and Self-Employment Earnings
Not every certified medical biller or coder wants to work for a hospital or RCM firm. A growing number are choosing freelance or contract-based work, either to supplement a full-time job or to build independent billing businesses from the ground up. With the right credentials and client strategy, self-employment can surpass salaried roles—especially for those holding both CPC and CPB certifications.
Hourly vs Per Claim Rates
1. Hourly Contract Work
Most freelance coders and billers start by contracting with:
Independent practices
Telehealth startups
Specialty clinics that can’t afford full-time in-house staff
These gigs pay hourly rates based on scope, ranging from:
$28–$40/hour for general coding
$35–$50/hour for specialized coding (cardiology, orthopedics, OB/GYN)
$25–$38/hour for billing workflows, including claims, AR follow-up, and denial management
Professionals with CPB certification often handle entire claim cycles, which lets them bill more hours and command higher retainers. Strong software fluency (e.g., Kareo, AdvancedMD, Availity) can be a dealmaker for high-paying contracts.
2. Per-Claim and Per-Provider Billing
Freelancers who run their own billing businesses often charge:
$3–$6 per claim (basic primary insurance submissions)
$7–$12 per claim for complex cases or secondary payer workflows
4–8% of collected revenue for full billing management
These rates vary based on volume and specialty. A solo biller managing three providers full-time can earn between $65,000 and $100,000 per year, depending on their client mix and claim success rate.
Unlike hourly contractors, per-claim freelancers take on financial and compliance responsibility, so CPB certification is critical to demonstrate audit-readiness and payer literacy.
3. Niche Self-Employment Paths
Many coders and billers use their certification to carve out hyper-specialized roles, such as:
Audit preparation consultants for small practices
Telehealth coding specialists handling emerging CPT categories
Appeals specialists focused on denied or underpaid claims
These professionals typically work on flat fees or project retainers. With CPC + CPB, these niche freelancers often earn more per hour than mid-level hospital staff, especially when offering bundled services to cash-based providers or concierge medical practices.
Freelancing isn’t for beginners with no practical training—but for certified professionals, especially those who train through AMBCI’s CPC + CPB course, it opens up a six-figure income path without depending on a traditional job market. If you’ve built real case experience, practiced inside EHR systems, and know how to structure clean claims, you’re already halfway there.
AMBCI’s Dual Cert Sets You Up for Top-Tier Pay
Certifications alone don’t create high salaries. What creates earning power is the combination of industry recognition, hands-on capability, and credential stacking—and that’s exactly where AMBCI’s CPC + CPB Dual Certification Program delivers unmatched ROI.
While most courses teach you just enough to scrape by on an exam, AMBCI focuses on equipping you with everything needed to negotiate higher starting salaries, land remote positions, or launch contract-based services right after certification.
Industry-Certified, Specialty-Focused, Employer Aligned
The CPC + CPB path at AMBCI isn’t just fast-tracked—it’s aligned with actual payer workflows, employer hiring criteria, and revenue-impact training. That means you walk out of the program with:
Two industry-standard credentials (recognized by every major clinic, hospital, and coding agency)
200+ specialty-specific lessons, so you’re not just trained—you’re versatile across coding challenges
Live feedback on charting, billing, and denials, preparing you for interviews and job testing scenarios
This combination lets you:
Earn $8,000–$15,000 more annually than single-certified peers
Access roles that expect dual-cycle knowledge (especially in RCM and payor contract positions)
Compete for remote work without years of prior employment history
Career Support for Higher Placement Offers
AMBCI also helps you do what most programs ignore: convert your certification into top-tier offers. That includes:
Resume templates for CPC, CPB, and dual-cert candidates
LinkedIn and job board keyword strategies that help you bypass algorithm filters
Interview coaching and mock assessments, especially for employer-issued coding tests or chart correction exercises
When employers know you’ve been through AMBCI’s system, they know you’ve seen more than a few PowerPoints. They know you’ve submitted real mock claims, handled graded SOAP reviews, and completed live assignments with instructor correction.
Whether you’re aiming for a salaried role in a hospital or a per-claim freelance portfolio, AMBCI gives you the tools and confidence to command higher rates—without hesitation.
How to Increase Your Salary Year After Year
Getting certified is the first income milestone—but the real strategy begins after your first job offer. Medical billing and coding is a skill-based career, and your salary growth depends on how intentionally you build specialization, negotiate, and document your impact.
The highest earners don’t just “stay employed.” They make moves every 12–24 months—either by shifting into higher-complexity specialties like orthopedics, neurology, or mental health, or by mastering denial trends, compliance logic, and audit prep. If you can prevent underpayment or optimize clean claim rates, you’re no longer just a coder—you’re a revenue asset.
By year two or three, coders with project portfolios, QA scores, and clean audit records start commanding $70K+ in competitive markets—even more in remote contract roles. Dual-certified professionals who’ve taken on both billing and coding workflows can confidently apply for RCM coordinator, compliance analyst, or audit-prep lead roles—all of which break the $80K barrier.
What accelerates growth more than anything is measurable outcomes. If you can show you reduced denials, cleaned up bad debt, or improved payer turnaround time, employers will pay to keep you—and competitors will offer more to lure you away.
Training programs like AMBCI’s CPC + CPB path help you build that foundation early—so you're not just certified, you're promotable.
What motivates you most to get certified in billing & coding?
Our Verdict
Medical billing and coding is one of the few healthcare careers where your certification directly shapes your income ceiling. Whether you're pursuing CPC, CPB, or both, your credentials don’t just prove you can do the work—they prove you're worth paying more for.
From entry-level jobs to freelance billing practices, we’ve shown how earnings vary by role, location, and experience—but the through line is clear: certified professionals earn more, faster. And dual-certified candidates with real-world specialty practice often command 20–35% higher salaries right out of the gate.
If your goal is long-term financial stability, remote flexibility, or launching your own billing operation, you need more than just a passing exam score. You need training that backs your certification with skill, speed, and proof.
That’s why AMBCI’s CPC + CPB program isn’t just about passing—it’s about earning what you're truly worth in the market from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
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The highest-paying and most advanced certification in medical coding is the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) for outpatient coding, and the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) for inpatient hospital coding. CPC is the most recognized by outpatient clinics, RCM firms, and remote employers. CCS, issued by AHIMA, is more specialized and typically used in hospital systems.
That said, dual certification—CPC combined with CPB (Certified Professional Biller)—often outperforms either in total earnings because you can manage the full revenue cycle. Many employers will prioritize dual-certified candidates over single-cert holders for coding supervisor, audit lead, or denial management roles, particularly when hiring for hybrid or remote positions.
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The Certified Professional Biller (CPB) from AAPC is the top credential in medical billing. It validates your ability to handle the entire claims process, including insurance navigation, denial resolution, appeals, patient billing, and compliance. Unlike more generalized billing certifications, CPB is payer-aligned and often required by clinics and billing firms hiring for RCM, accounts receivable, and follow-up roles.
For professionals aiming to freelance, open billing businesses, or work directly with multiple providers, CPB is considered non-negotiable. Pairing CPB with CPC not only raises your base salary but also makes you eligible for revenue-critical roles, often increasing your earnings by 20–30% compared to those with billing-only experience.
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Yes—CPC + CPB dual certification offers the most versatility and earning power in the field. Instead of being limited to coding or billing roles, you become qualified to handle the entire revenue cycle—from clinical documentation to claims management and appeals. This makes you extremely valuable to employers trying to consolidate their teams or hire for cross-functional roles.
Dual-certified professionals consistently earn $8,000–$15,000 more annually than single-certified peers and gain faster access to remote jobs, leadership tracks, and freelance billing contracts. If you're aiming for high income, job security, or business ownership in the healthcare space, dual certification is not just worth it—it’s the new gold standard.
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The lowest salaries for uncertified coders typically fall between $32,000 and $40,000 per year, mostly in entry-level or non-specialist roles. These positions offer little growth unless paired with formal certification.
On the high end, certified professionals—especially those with CPC and 3–5 years of experience—can earn $70,000 to $90,000+, particularly in high-paying states or remote specialty coding positions. Freelance and contract coders with niche expertise (orthopedics, cardiology, psych) often charge per chart and scale well above six figures, depending on volume.
Your income potential depends heavily on certification, specialization, and whether you work in salaried, contract, or business-owner roles. Dual certification expands both floor and ceiling.
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Non-certified billers at small practices often start as low as $30,000–$38,000 per year, limited to clerical or entry-level claim submissions. Without formal CPB certification, upward mobility is slow, and remote jobs are rare.
On the high end, certified medical billers with CPB and 3+ years of experience regularly earn $55,000–$70,000, especially if they manage full-cycle billing, handle multiple payers, or lead denial teams. Freelancers can exceed this by billing per claim or as a percentage of revenue, which scales with provider volume.
The biggest salary leaps happen when billing professionals gain dual certification and take on roles that blend billing, coding, and payer strategy—which pay up to $80K–$100K depending on location and scope.
