Salary Survey

What state pays the most?

AAPC’s 2024 Medical Coding and Billing Salary Report shows annual income averages for medical records specialists across the 50 states and territories differ by up to 31.5 percent, with the highest in California at $76,695, and the lowest in West Virginia at $52,556. That equates to a $36.87 hourly wage in California and $25.27 per hour in West Virginia. These averages are not indicative of aspects such as experience, the types and number of credentials held, and education level.

This income contrast reflects differing state economies. California, for instance, has higher employment costs and consumer price indices than West Virginia. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) points out that geographic location often affects incomes. Workers tend to earn more in large metropolitan areas where a higher cost of living often drives incomes upward. For example, costs such as those for housing are usually more in urban areas since more people in a geographic market create more competition for available homes. 

Compare 2022 and 2023

Toggle between 2022 and 2023 salary data to review average pay by state below.

Income trends based on location

2023 Salary Survey respondents report income losses in only two states and U.S. territories, a huge improvement over the 13 states reporting income losses in 2022. The two states that suffered losses were Vermont and Wyoming at 2 percent or less.

The trend of improving incomes continues, as 10 states report increases of at least 10 percent, an improvement over last year’s nine states seeing gains of 9 percent or more. The remaining 38 states all saw gains of up to 10 percent.

The three states reporting the biggest gains in 2023 are Indiana (21.8 percent), California (13.4 percent), and Rhode Island (13.1 percent). Other states with 10 percent or greater improved incomes: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Maine, New York, Oklahoma, and Washington.

States with 10%+ salary increases year over year