Medical Records Coder Salary

Average Medical Records Coder Base Salary in the United States

Average Base Salary

$37,641 Per Year

Salary Range: $24,425 to $52,013

Medical Records Coder Salary

$24,425

10%

$29,459

25% 

$ 37,641

AVERAGE

$46,735

75%  

$52,013

90%  

How Much Does a Medical Records Coder Make Per Year in the United States?

The national average salary for a  Medical Records Coder is $37,641 per year in the United States. It can vary depending on the employer and the skills required for that position, but generally, it will be about $37,641 or more annually for a gross salary. Taxes impact salaries, so to get the net salary we’ve crunched the data and gotten the tax information on what the take-home pay would be after the effective income tax rates. 

Technology Used

Microsoft Excel – Spreadsheet software

Microsoft PowerPoint – Presentation software

Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat – Document management software

Microsoft SharePoint – Cloud-based data access and sharing software

Intuit QuickBooks – Accounting software

Word processing software – Word processing software

Electronic health record EHR software – Medical software

Optical scanning software – Optical character reader OCR or scanning software

Knowledge and Expertise

Administrative

Computers and Electronics

Customer and Personal Service

Mathematics

Personnel and Human Resources

Administration and Management

Soft Skills

Reading Comprehension

Active Listening

Writing

Speaking

Critical Thinking

Monitoring

What is the salary range of a Medical Records Coder?

Medical Records Coder salaries vary depending on the company you work for, your experience level, industry, education, and years of experience. The average annual salary is around $37,641 but a Medical Records Coder can earn a base salary anywhere from $24,425 to $52,013 per year with some companies paying more than others.

Pay ranges on average for a Medical Records Coder job title only vary a good amount, which may mean that there are many opportunities to earn more income in the future regardless of the employers or your location, industry, and experience.

A salary range that varies also means there is ability to move up within the company, as there may be as many opportunities for advancement or to change your job title. This opportunity for  advancement can help with can increase their job satisfaction and motivation.

What are the Highest Salaries for a Medical Records Coder?

The highest Medical Records Coder salaries in the top 10% earn more than $52,013 per year. The salary range for the top 75% – 90% is between and $46,735 and $52,013 annually.

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What are the Lowest Salaries for a Medical Records Coder?

The lowest Medical Records Coder salaries are in the bottom 10% of earners who make less than $24,425 per year. The salary range for the lowest 10% – 25% is between $24,425 and $29,459 annually.   

This salary data and salary estimates come from our Average Pay’s salary database of carefully collected and detailed information about pay across many industries and categories, along with different types of labor data.

What is a Good Salary for a Medical Records Coder?

If we only look at the data for Medical Records Coder salaries and we don’t compare it to any other jobs, a good salary for a Medical Records Coder job would be over $37,641 per year. This is the average salary for this position in the United States. An excellent pay for a Medical Records Coder would be anything over the top 75%, which is $46,735 annually.

How Can I Increase My Salary as a Medical Records Coder?

There are a few ways you can increase your average salary for a profession as a Medical Records Coder. One way is to get promoted to a higher level and take on more duties within your employer. Another way is to gain more experience and skills in your career. You can also try negotiating higher compensation next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

Finally, you can look for a new job at a different employer that pays more. One thing not to overlook is companies often give their employees incentives and benefits outside of salaries. The total compensation, like healthcare, paid vacation days, 401k matches, bonuses, overtime, professional development, a career path in the company, and other benefits, need to be considered, which can add up to a lot more money than just a salary increase.

What are the Top Paying Industries for a Medical Records Coder?

The top paying industries for a Medical Records Coder job vary depending on the position’s specific responsibilities, employers, and qualifications. However, some common reported high-paying industries for include the following:

  • Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Federal, State, and Local Government
  • Educational Services
  • Health Care and Social Assistance
  • Local Government
  • Finance and Insurance

Does a Medical Records Coder Have a Good Quality of Life?

Based on an average 2-bedroom apartment rental price, a Medical Records Coder would pay 15.63% of their monthly take-home pay towards rent. That’s $1,310 per month or $15,720 yearly for a two-bedroom apartment.

The rent is less than 30% of the monthly take-home pay for an Medical Records Coder, which can helps lessen a financial burden and impact their quality of life.

This is because a high rent-to-income ratio would leave less money each month for other expenses, such as food, transportation, recreation, and activities. It can lead to financial stress, impacting overall job satisfaction and motivation.

Considering the cost of living in a city when considering whether to accept a job offer is essential. If the cost of living is too high, it might not be worth it, even if the salary is good.

Does a Medical Records Coder make good money?

 In general, a Medical Records Coder can make a decent salary but is a little lower than average. The national average salary is $52,632 annually which is more than the average Medical Records Coder salary, meaning this might not be a livable wage. According to data and labor statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average Medical Records Coder pay is below the median salary.

However, salaries can vary depending on the company you work for, what you are responsible for, education, college degree, work experience, job market, and your experience level. The highest-paid can earn upwards of 52,013 per year, while the lowest-paid income is less than 24,425 annually.

If you want to maximize your earnings as a Medical Records Coder, take on more responsibility, and gain more experience in related skills. Also, build interpersonal skills and strong leadership skills, get a certification in your field and then negotiate for a higher salary next performance review, when you are up for renewal or starting a new contract with a business.

The best thing you can do is develop yourself and gain knowledge. Many courses, additional training, and professional development opportunities in your area can help increase your skills and development in your job or related field.

You can also get your resume reviewed and look for a new employer that will hire and pay more or look for a career change that is hiring and may interest you more.

Salaries are also relative to the cost of living in different parts of the country. For example, the compensation for a Medical Records Coder will need to be higher if it is in or closer to larger cities like New York City or some states like California. The increase in pay in these areas is because of the higher than average cost of living and more interested applicants for employment versus someone living in a small town. With the cost of housing increasing and medical care premium costs, it is essential to ensure you are getting paid what you are worth.

How do I know I’m being paid fairly as a Medical Records Coder?

The easiest way is to see how close your current salary is to the average pay for your position in your state and city. If your income is below the estimated average wage in your area, you can try to negotiate for a raise.

You can use our research and tools to discover the average salary for a Medical Records Coder in your city or region to see if you are being compensated fairly. You may also compare your income to similar jobs and careers to determine whether you are underpaid or overpaid. Lastly, you can set up job alerts to see how the job market trends.

A few other ways you can research whether you’re being paid fairly as a Medical Records Coder is to do a job search to look at job postings for similar positions and see the estimate for the listed salary range. You can also talk to people in your network who have similar jobs and ask them what they earn. Finally, you can try negotiating a higher pay when you are up for renewal, having a performance evaluation, or starting a new contract.

What Factors Determine the Salary of a Medical Records Coder?

The money a Medical Records Coder can make each year greatly depends on a few components that determine an average base salary.

The company you work for is one of the main factors that affect how much a Medical Records Coder earns.

The compensation will also depend on the location, as some states and cities have a higher cost of living than others. Other factors that affect compensation are the number of hours worked, company size, job type, level of experience in your career, and location.