Salaries for medical billers and medical coders vary by region, as well as by industry, experience and education level.

• Fifty percent of medical billers and coders in the US earn between $24,290 and $39,490 annually, or between $11.67 and $18.98 an hour.
• The highest-paid 10% of medical billers and coders make over $50,000 per year.

Pay rates for medical billers and coders vary from region to region because of factors like cost of living, population density, the number of employed specialists, and subsequent demand. In thriving economies where prices and cost of living are higher, professionals earn more than in areas of low population density where demand for services is lower.

Medical billers and coders can influence their salaries through training and experience, and by pursuing certifications to set themselves apart from others in their field. Specialized medical billing and coding professionals are less common, and are therefore likely to earn more than those who have minimal education and experience.

Below are average salary figures for medical billing and coding specialists by region and industry. Click to see separate pages on medical billing salaries and medical coding salaries. Also, check out our recent article on some of the highest-paying, least-known industries for medical billers and coders.

Medical Billing & Coding Salaries by State

These are the five highest-paying states for medical billing and coding professionals, with average salaries for those states:

Here are the average wages for the five states employing the most medical billing and coding professionals:

Medical Billing & Coding Salaries by City

Within a state, pay rates for medical billers and coders can still vary by metropolitan area. High-density cities with growing economies usually pay more, and some cities with less desireable locations or climates may pay more in an effort to keep population levels high.

Here are the highest-paying cities in the US for medical billing and coding specialists:

Medical Billing & Coding Salaries by Industry

Within the field of medical billing and coding, some industries pay significantly more than others. In industries that employ a lot of medical billers and coders, wages may be lower because of the lower level of demand. Conversely, wages are higher in industries where only a few specialized billers and coders are employed.

These are the highest-paying industries for medical billers and coders, based on national salary averages:

Salary figures are courtesy of the US Bureau of Labor Statistics for May, 2009.