Medical coders are integral members of the healthcare industry who assist doctors and other health professionals across several areas. Medical coders oversee patient health records, analyze reimbursement terms, and review healthcare regulations compliance. If you’re looking to build a career in healthcare, getting medical coding certifications is an excellent place to start.
This article examines some of the highest-paying medical certifications and the jobs you can get with them. Additionally, we discuss typical preparatory resources for the certification exams and how to use them. Keep reading to find out more.
What Is a Professional Certification?
Professional certification is a designated credential or document that signifies an individual’s knowledge, skills, and competencies in a specific task or field of training. You can get one by passing a test or series of tests administered by a professional agency or educational institution. Depending on the program, you can complete your coding training and exam online or at a testing center.
What’s the Difference Between a Certification and a Certificate?
The difference between a certification and a certificate is that you get the former when you meet standard, predetermined criteria established by a professional credentialing organization. It involves paying an exam fee, writing the tests or exams, and renewing the certification after a specific period.
A certificate is an academic document that demonstrates the completion of a course or series of lessons in one particular field. You can get one by enrolling in a certificate program at an accredited educational institution.
Why Is Certification in Medical Coding Important?
Certification in medical coding is important because it proves your expertise in healthcare coding systems and health information technology. A medical coding career is relatively stable, with Bureau of Labor Statistics figures indicating that jobs in health information and medical records will grow by around 7% over the next decade.1
Best Medical Coding Certifications by Salary
| Certification | Provider | Average Salary | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)® | Practice Management Institute | $73,0002 | $1,225/exam |
| Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based (CCS-P®) | American Health Information Management Association | $72,0003 | $399/exam (non-member price); $299/exam (member price) |
| Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC®) | American Association of Professional Coders | $71,0004 | $399/exam (one attempt); $499/exam (two attempts) |
| Certified Professional Coder (CPC®) | American Association of Professional Coders | $67,0005 | $399/exam (one attempt); $499/exam (two attempts) |
| Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®) | American Health Information Management Association | $64,0006 | $299/exam (non-member price); $229/exam (member price) |
| Certified Medical Coder (CMC)® | Practice Management Institute | $64,0007 | $1,375/exam |
| Certified Outpatient Coder (COC®) | American Association of Professional Coders | $61,0008 | $399/exam (one attempt); $499/exam (two attempts) |
| Certified Medical Reimbursement Specialist (CMRS®) | American Medical Billing Association | $61,0009 | $325/exam |
| Certified Medical Insurance Specialist (CMIS)® | Practice Management Institute | $59,99410 | $1,099/exam |
| Certified Coding Associate (CCA®) | American Health Information Management Association | $50,00011 | $299 (non-member price); $199 (member price) |
Program and salary data has been gathered from Institution websites, PayScale, and ZipRecruiter as of October 2025.
Best Medical Coding Certifications to Further Your Career
How to Choose the Best Medical Coding Certification for Your Career
You must consider cost, career goals, and learning environment when choosing a certification. The best medical coding certifications typically offer candidates various certification options depending on their experience level and budget. Below, we discuss tips for choosing the best medical coding certifications in detail.
Consider the Training Schedule for the Certification
Some certification programs only require that you register for an exam. However, others may require candidates to receive in-person training to be eligible for it. Depending on your schedule, you may prefer one over the other. You should choose the one that best fits your schedule and professional needs.
Consider Your Career Goals
Some certification programs focus on risk adjustment, medical claim denials, and practice management. Others, like the CPC® certification, allow you to become a healthcare business professional without prior experience. However, you can become a professional coder with a few years of experience or train with the AAPC and pass the certification exam.
Work Within a Budget
You may want to get one of the top certifications in this field if you are an experienced professional. However, these can be expensive and you may want to consider getting cheaper, lower-level certifications first. You can use free budgeting apps to manage your finances, save up, and get the costlier certifications later.
Which Medical Coding Certifications Pay the Most?
The medical certifications that pay the most are the Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC®), Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM®), Certified Professional Coder (CPC®), Certified Medical Insurance Specialist (CMIS®), and Certified Outpatient Coder (COC®) certifications.
You can earn between $57,000 and $65,000 annually if you have any of these certifications. Note that the figures above are average salaries and you can potentially earn more depending on your experience and the organization you work for.
Highest-Paying Medical Coding Certifications
- Certified Medical Office Manager (CMOM)®: $73,000
- Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based (CCS-P®): $72,000
- Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC®): $71,000
- Certified Professional Coder (CPC®): $67,000
- Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®): $64,000
Which Medical Coding Certifications Are the Best for Beginners?
The best medical coding certifications for beginners are the Certified Professional Coder (CPC®), Certified Coding Specialist – Physician-based (CCS-P®), and Certified Medical Coder (CMC®) certifications. They are great for entry-level medical coders, as they test the basics of medical coding principles.
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How to Prepare for Your Medical Coding Certification Exam
Medical coding exam prep is essential when you want to obtain a professional certification in medical healthcare. You can take either the preparatory courses, do your own reading, or look into other relevant resources offered by professional associations. Below, we discuss these in detail.
Best Courses to Prepare for Medical Coding Certification Exams
The best medical coding prep courses are available across various platforms. Agencies that provide certifications and educational institutions offer several of them. Most of these courses require that you pay a small fee in order to enroll.
Other Resources to Prepare for Your Medical Coding Certification Exams
You can incorporate other resources into your medical coding certification prep, on top of the courses listed above. Read on to learn more about additional resources which include books and webinars.
Clinical Coding Workout: Practice Exercises for Skill Development with Odd-Numbered Online Answers
This book is a provision from the American Health Information Management Association. It contains over 1,000 practice coding exercises to prepare you for various aspects of the certification exam, including topics like disease management and body system classification.
Clinical Coding Workout: Practice Exercises for Skill Development with Odd-Numbered Online Answers Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: $87.39
- Ideal For: Professionals who want to practice clinical coding exercises
ICD-10-CM 2025: The Complete Official Codebook
This codebook contains updated coding guidelines and the latest codes surrounding major complication or comorbidity (MCC) and complication or comorbidity (CC). It also covers the American Hospital Association (AHA) Coding Clinic references. Its color-coded sections and anatomical art depictions enable readers to locate and understand relevant information quickly.
ICD-10-CM 2022: The Complete Official Codebook Overview
- Type of Resource: Book
- Cost: $118.60
- Ideal For: Candidates preparing for Certified Coding Associate (CCA®) certification exams
E/M Chart Auditing Workshop
This workshop deals with medical auditing processes and verifying claim submissions via chart documentation. It also aids your understanding of decision-making criteria in medical claims and is suitable for compliance officers, office managers, and medical consultants.
E/M Chart Auditing Workshop Overview
- Type of Resource: Workshop
- Cost: $349
- Ideal For: Management personnel looking to understand auditing processes and minimize unnecessary financial regulatory oversight
2025 HCPCS Level II, Professional Edition
This book is an excellent guide to current Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes. It contains relevant coding regulations, patient data report methods, reimbursement options, and master ICD-10 coding. Furthermore, it provides vital indicators for medical equipment and manufacturer codes.
2025 HCPCS Level II, Professional Edition Overview
Ideal For: Healthcare reimbursement specialists looking to understand coding plans better
Type of Resource: Book
Cost: $79.95
Medical Coding Job Outlook and Average Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for medical records and health information roles is on the incline, with a projected growth of 7% from 2024–2034.42 Additionally, medical assistant jobs are expected to grow 12% in the same period, which signifies steady opportunities in the field.43
BLS also states that medical records and health information specialists make a median salary of $54,270 per year.44 If you’re just starting a career in medical coding, getting a professional certification is a great way to boost your financial and career prospects in the healthcare field. Below, we discuss some of the best medical coding and billing jobs that you can pursue after obtaining a relevant certification.
Best Medical Coding Jobs After Certification
The best medical coding jobs typically involve working in a hospital setting which can be very demanding. Another option is for you to venture into roles in the allied healthcare fields, which you can pursue after getting the certifications recommended above. Here are some of the roles that you can look forward to.
Risk Adjustment Coder | Average Salary: $71,000
This role involves assessing various factors to determine accurate patient risk scores. You must be very organized and detail-oriented to succeed in this role, as it requires lots of documentation and analysis. A risk adjustment coding certification demonstrates your ability to review patient data and make critical decisions regarding their health and well-being.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC®). This certification provides you with the technical knowledge and skill to work in this role.
Coding Compliance Specialist | Average Salary: $60,418
Coding compliance specialists oversee and supervise the implementation of medical billing and coding regulations. The role also involves reviewing medical records and training medical staff on appropriate medical treatment and billing codes. Getting a CCS® certification indicates your expertise and significantly boosts your employability and career prospects.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Certified Coding Specialist (CCS®). You can take courses to learn all the medical procedures and coding strategies necessary to excel during the certification program and in your career.
Health Information Coder | Average Salary: $61,456
These professionals update patient records and perform reimbursement logging operations. They also possess excellent analytical, communication, and organizational skills. Getting a medical coding certification to work in this role improves your professional capabilities.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT®). You can become a health information coder with this certification as it helps you understand how to manage administrative matters effectively.
Certified Outpatient Coder | Average Salary: $61,000
Some of the daily tasks of a certified outpatient coder include ensuring proper coding for documentation and maintaining patient records. The role typically requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field. A COC® certification and coding experience can further improve your chance of succeeding in the field.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Certified Outpatient Coder (COC®). This certification focuses on modern outpatient coding techniques and teaches the best ways to handle patient records.
Certified Medical Coder | Average Salary: $64,000
As a certified medical coder, your job involves translating patient information into medical code. You may analyze diagnostic information and medical equipment used to determine patient treatment and healthcare reimbursement costs. You can obtain a medical coder certification to demonstrate your professional skills and work remotely, as the role doesn’t require you to be stationed at a physical location.
Best Certification for the Job Role
Certified Medical Coder (CMC®). A CMC® certification can provide first-rate experience in medical coding strategies and other healthcare sectors.
Best Medical Coding Associations
There are various medical coding associations and each one offers numerous perks and advantages, depending on your professional goals and career development plans. Below, we discuss three of the most well-known medical coding associations you can join.
American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)
The AAPC is one of the most well-known associations for medical coders and auditors. It also offers professional certifications and individual and corporate membership options for healthcare workers. Joining the academy is an excellent way to connect with like-minded professionals and build strong professional networks.
American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
This organization prides itself on developing leaders in the medical industry and its members are well-known for their contributions to health information management. According to their website, in 1029 professionals with four or more AHIMA credentials reported earning an average of $114,000 annually.45 Additionally, it offers industry-recognized certifications to qualified professionals.
Medical Association of Billers (MAB)
This association offers America’s oldest billing and coding certification, the Certified Medical Billing Specialist® (CMBS) credential. While its programs do not award coding certifications, they are valuable to coding and medical billing professionals. You can build common medical billing and coding knowledge while developing new skills to assist healthcare providers.
Are Medical Coding Certifications Worth It?
For many people, becoming a certified billing and coding professional is worth it because they provide those in medical facilities, government agencies, and other healthcare settings with the qualifications needed to succeed. They can also boost your administrative skills, career-earning potential, and professional experience. Obtaining a medical coding certification is a viable path for those after rapid professional development in healthcare management.
Additional Reading About Medical Coding
https://careerkarma.com/blog/best-schools-for-medical-billing-and-coding/ https://careerkarma.com/blog/medical-coding-certificates/
https://careerkarma.com/blog/best-online-medical-billing-and-coding-bachelors-degrees/
Medical Coding Certifications FAQ
How do I become a medical coder?
You can become a medical coder by completing a certificate or associate degree program from an accredited tertiary institution. Depending on the school, you may have the option to take courses online or in-person, and to complete your training in a number of months or a few years.
Do I need a professional certification in medical coding to work in medical coding?
No, you don’t need a professional certification to work in medical coding. However, getting a certification improves your professional skills, boosts your employability, and increases your earning potential. You can also connect with other professionals and build strong professional networks.
Do universities offer professional medical coding certifications?
No, universities do not offer professional medical coding certifications. However, several universities and colleges offer top-class associate and certificate options in medical coding and billing to get an undergraduate qualification. Of course, these do not replace your professional certification.
Is it hard to get a job in medical coding?
No, it is not hard to get a job in medical coding. The openings and job opportunities in healthcare are projected to remain steady, so you can find a suitable role. However, the kind of job you get depends on your experience and educational qualifications, so obtaining certifications and degrees can improve your job prospects.
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