Medical Coding Salaries on the Rise, AAPC Survey Says

Salaries for certified medical coding professionals increased an average of 4% from 2008 to 2009, despite economic conditions, according to an annual salary survey conducted by the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC). Certified medical coder salaries rose to an average of $44,750 annually; noncertified coders reported a 2% average salary gain, bringing the average salary to $38,290.

Other highlights from the 22-question survey include the following:

• Education level significantly impacts salary level—a coder with a bachelor’s degree earns $51,820 on average while a coder with a high school diploma earns $40,746.

• Location also affects salary—comparing urban, rural, and suburban areas, those in urban areas earn an average salary of $45,631; suburban areas, $44,551; and rural areas, $38,930.

• Salary varied from region to region, ranging from an average high of $50,143 in the Pacific region to low of $40,713 in the Mid-Atlantic region.

• Medical coders with multiple specialty credentials earn an average of $52,777.

More than 10,000 medical coders responded to the annual salary survey, conducted this summer.

Source: American Academy of Professional Coders