As in past years, the 2024 Medical Coding and Billing Salary Report demonstrates that certification pays. Certification is the No. 1 factor influencing medical records specialist incomes.
According to the 2023 Salary Survey results, medical records specialists without certification average $53,749 per year, while certified medical records specialists average $62,689 annually — 16.6 percent more than their noncertified colleagues.
Credential | Average Salary |
---|---|
Non-certified | $53,749 |
Certified | $62,689 |
2 AAPC certifications | $71,130 |
3+ AAPC certifications | $76,035 |
In addition to competitive incomes and standard employment benefits, many employers also offer paid continuing education. Full or partial coverage of continuing education is particularly valuable, given the correlation between income and AAPC credentials.
Other variables that weigh into the income equation include experience, the types and number of credentials, specialty/medical field, employer type, and location.
AAPC members have established a reputation of excellence within the healthcare industry. This is attributed to quality training, certification, and on-the-job experience. Incomes increase year over year, underscoring the value of medical coding certification as a measure of proficiency.
In 2023, the biggest income increases go to AAPC Approved Instructors.
Credential | 2022 | 2023 | % Pay Change |
---|---|---|---|
Certified Professional Practice Manager (CPPM)® | $75,833 | $80,205 | 5.5% |
Certified Professional Coder-Payer (CPC-P)® | $64,255 | $74,928 | 14.2% |
Certified Professional Medical Auditor (CPMA)® | $73,076 | $77,692 | 5.9% |
AAPC Approved Instructor* | $77,687 | $90,731 | 14.4% |
Certified Outpatient Coder (COC)® | $65,827 | $70,663 | 6.8% |
Certified Professional Coder (CPC)® | $60,712 | $64,495 | 5.9% |
Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC)® | $65,823 | $74,475 | 11.6% |
Certified Professional Compliance Officer (CPCO)® | $81,938 | $89,010 | 7.9% |
Certified Professional Biller (CPB)® | $57,105 | $60,316 | 5.3% |
Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)® | $66,262 | $71,747 | 7.6% |
Certified Documentation Expert-Outpatient (CDEO)® | $72,840 | $76,172 | 4.4% |
*Formerly Certified Professional Coder-Instructor (CPC-I)