If you’re curious about entering the healthcare field without a degree, or you’re interested in a career as a coding specialist in a doctor’s office or hospital, you might want to learn how to become a medical coder—a vital role within the broader healthcare industry.
The healthcare system in the U.S., which works closely with private insurance companies, is extremely complex and needs a team of professionals to help manage it. In this guide, we’ll discuss what a medical coding specialist is, their main responsibilities at work, the job outlook for the next decade, and a step-by-step guide on how to become a medical coder.
What Is a Medical Coder?
A medical coder is a healthcare administrator who translates patient records, diagnoses, prescriptions, and treatment plans, including the patient’s diagnosis and medical procedures, into a universal code for insurance billing purposes.
Medical coders have to convert every aspect of a patient’s record into these standardized medical codes used for billing and recordkeeping so insurance companies know how to bill patients. Because money is involved, medical coders need to be very diligent in their work.
What Is a Medical Coder?
A medical coder is a healthcare administrator who translates patient records, diagnoses, prescriptions, and treatment plans, including the patient’s diagnosis and medical procedures, into a universal code for insurance billing purposes.
Medical coders have to convert every aspect of a patient’s record into these standardized medical codes used for billing and recordkeeping so insurance companies know how to bill patients. Because money is involved, medical coders need to be very diligent in their work.
Essential Medical Coder Skills
Attention To Detail
Coding an incorrect letter, number, or character can mean the difference between a patient receiving the right medical bill and an incorrect, sometimes astronomically high, medical bill. This means that medical coders must accurately perform their job every day. Strong attention to detail is one of the most important skills a medical coder can have.
Strong Computer Skills
Because medical records communicate with insurance companies electronically, medical coders should have strong computer skills. They should feel comfortable navigating electronic records and systems, and navigating electronic databases.
Organization Skills
Medical coders handle many records throughout any given day and may need to work relatively quickly to keep up with the demanding workload. This means coders should have very strong organizational skills to make sure they keep track of their priorities throughout the workday.
Medical Coder Salaries and Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) records information for medical records and health information technicians. This is an umbrella profession that includes medical coders. According to the BLS, medical records specialists earned a median salary of $50,250 annually in May 2024.1
Salaries for medical coders vary from state to state. Pay is also dependent on employers, whether professionals work within hospital systems or private clinics.
According to BLS data in 2024, “An increasing share of the population is entering older age groups, which typically require more medical services. In addition, there is a growing prevalence of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions. As a result, more medical records specialists will be needed to translate patient information and services delivered into standardized codes to be used for insurance reimbursement and other purposes.”1 As long as the healthcare system functions with independent insurance providers, and AI doesn’t completely take on these duties, medical coders will be needed.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Medical Coder?
Becoming a medical coder can be very accessible; you don’t have to follow a singular path to get there. You can pursue a career with a bachelor’s degree, or you can jump straight into a medical billing and coding program with only your high school diploma.
With this in mind, it takes anywhere from 18 months to 4.5 years to become a medical coder, depending on which education path you decide to take.
Some students choose a self-paced program or online coding training to fit their schedules and accelerate their path to becoming a medical coder.
How to Become a Medical Coder: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here is our step-by-step guide to becoming a medical coder. These steps are designed to help medical coding students navigate their educational and career journey. Remember that you have a few different choices, from a full bachelor’s degree to certification opportunities, to launch your career.
Step 1: Complete Basic Education Requirements
The only formal education requirement before certification is a high school diploma. Some medical coders have associate degrees, and some have bachelor’s degrees, though there is no formal degree for a medical coding career.
There are medical coding programs that you can complete at many community colleges and/or online, and take 18 months to two years to complete.
Step 2: Earn Preliminary Certification
Upon completion of one of the medical coding education programs, you will be eligible to get a preliminary certificate. You can take the Certified Coding Associate (CCA) exam, a nationally recognized standardized test administered by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) that can help support you in the job search.
Additionally, the National Healthcareer Association offers the Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS) exam, another exam offered to validate your certified billing and certified medical billing skills, further enhancing your professional credentials and job prospects.
Step 3: Gain Work Experience in an Entry-Level Position
Gaining work experience in healthcare administration is a great way to get your foot in the door. You might consider getting an administrative job as a records clerk or a health office assistant to gain experience while you’re enrolled in college or a medical records and coding program. Upon the completion of a medical billing and coding program, you can get started in the field with entry-level work experience. Then, you may think about getting a certification.
Step 4: Earn Higher Level Credentials and Become a Certified Professional Coder (CPC)
You can gain additional medical coding certificates to stand out in the field. They are not required, but they are like getting a graduate degree, helping you to develop your skills and specialize in an area of expertise.
You should consider earning these additional certifications after at least one to two years of initial work experience. Some advanced certifications include: Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Outpatient Coder (COC), Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC), and Certified Inpatient Coder (CIC).
Should You Become a Medical Coder?
Public health and effective healthcare administration are important sectors, and there is a high demand for talented, responsible medical records specialists. Coding specialists can work in a variety of healthcare settings, including doctors’ offices, physician practices, surgery centers, and hospitals.
Medical coders are essential workers who complete the important task of translating medical records into a universal code for insurance billing. If you are interested in pursuing a valued and essential professional role, medical coding might be a rewarding path.
How to Become a Medical Coder FAQs
How much does it cost to become a medical coder?
The cost of becoming a medical coder depends on the education pathways you choose to become certified. If you go straight into an 18-month to two-year education program in medical coding, you may pay around $3,000 at a community college or a trade school, based on 2025 data from the U.S. Career Institute.2 If you decide to earn a full associate degree, you may spend much more.
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How much do medical coders make a year?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for medical records specialists in 2024 was $50,250.1
Is it hard to get a job as a medical coder?
Entering the field of medical coding right away with no experience can be tough. That’s why experts recommend that you get your foot in the door by working in other healthcare administration jobs. Once you’re working in a hospital or doctor’s office, you can work on training to become a coder. Once you have your certificate, you could be more qualified than those who do not have healthcare administration work experience.
Sources:
1 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm#tab-1
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