Coding Specialists are in demand in acute care and ambulatory care facilities, including physician office practice and long-term facilities. A variety of government agencies require coding expertise as well. The need for accurate, skilled coders is high throughout the nation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the field of health information technicians, which includes medical coders, is projected to grow 8% through 2029, which is notably greater than the national average (www.bls.gov).
Salaries for medical coders vary across organizations, healthcare settings, as well as the level of work experience. However, in 2016 AHIMA reported the national salary averages for individuals with 0-2 years of experience and a CCA credential and individuals with 0-2 years of experience and a CCS credential as $39,320 and $50,490, respectively (www.ahima.org). Salary averages for California are also consistently higher than the national average.