Medical Biller & Coder projected job growth through 2032: 8.5%
Medical Biller and Coder vs Medical Transcriptionist


Written and reported by:
All Allied Health Schools Staff
The healthcare industry generates mounds of paperwork, and it takes armies of trained professionals keep hospitals, doctor’s offices, and insurance companies on the same page.
Medical transcriptionists work with doctors and other healthcare providers, turning audio recordings about patient care into written notes that go into a patient’s file.
Medical coders work with those files, making sure they’re up-to-date and they comply with federal regulations and insurance requirements. Medical billers (a subset of medical coders) submit claims to insurance companies, Medicare, and others.
The Key Differences
Here’s more detail about how these careers, which both play a vital role in keeping the healthcare system running smoothly, differ:
Job Duties
Medical Biller & Coder
- Assign alphanumeric codes to illnesses, injuries, and medical procedures
- Submit claims for reimbursement
- Advise providers on best documentation practices
Medical Transcriptionist
- Listen to audio recordings made by doctors and other health care professionals and convert them into written reports
- Edit drafts prepared by speech recognition software for accuracy and style consistency
- Pinpoint inconsistencies or errors and follow up with medical professionals
Education
Medical Biller & Coder
Medical Transcriptionist
- Most medical coders and billers start out with an associate’s degree, though certificates and diplomas that take less time to complete are also an option.
- Employers usually prefer formally trained transcriptionists with a certificate, diploma, or associate’s degree.
Licensing and Certification
Medical Biller & Coder
Medical Transcriptionist
- Certification is optional but highly recommended, since many employers prefer it.
- Same. Certification is optional but highly recommended, since many employers prefer it.
Median Annual Salaries and Job Growth
You can compare national salaries for both professions below.
National data
Median Salary: $47,180
Projected job growth: 8.5%
10th Percentile: $31,710
25th Percentile: $37,510
75th Percentile: $60,170
90th Percentile: $75,460
Projected job growth: 8.5%
State data
State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
---|---|---|---|
Alabama | $37,190 | $25,710 | $61,210 |
Alaska | $51,290 | $40,520 | $77,430 |
Arizona | $41,850 | $31,170 | $62,560 |
Arkansas | $35,460 | $29,520 | $60,590 |
California | $56,900 | $36,470 | $100,330 |
Colorado | $50,000 | $34,110 | $77,720 |
Connecticut | $60,390 | $40,980 | $78,520 |
Delaware | $45,870 | $31,090 | $65,440 |
District of Columbia | $62,140 | $43,950 | $95,790 |
Florida | $44,560 | $30,680 | $70,450 |
Georgia | $41,950 | $29,570 | $71,130 |
Hawaii | $63,650 | $40,730 | $84,200 |
Idaho | $46,550 | $34,900 | $64,210 |
Illinois | $48,510 | $33,950 | $70,010 |
Indiana | $46,220 | $30,750 | $69,950 |
Iowa | $46,590 | $35,100 | $64,150 |
Kansas | $43,440 | $30,490 | $62,560 |
Kentucky | $42,640 | $30,040 | $62,120 |
Louisiana | $46,830 | $30,020 | $69,420 |
Maine | $47,470 | $35,360 | $66,560 |
Maryland | $54,900 | $36,880 | $80,520 |
Massachusetts | $52,620 | $37,880 | $82,330 |
Michigan | $42,630 | $31,830 | $62,940 |
Minnesota | $51,810 | $40,400 | $79,450 |
Mississippi | $36,750 | $23,350 | $59,420 |
Missouri | $48,070 | $30,630 | $68,350 |
Montana | $43,250 | $32,500 | $63,680 |
Nebraska | $46,120 | $32,900 | $62,560 |
Nevada | $37,980 | $28,840 | $62,170 |
New Hampshire | $44,680 | $31,640 | $63,310 |
New Jersey | $64,760 | $40,320 | $100,310 |
New Mexico | $45,100 | $31,330 | $64,400 |
New York | $49,390 | $36,240 | $81,120 |
North Carolina | $45,200 | $30,700 | $65,350 |
North Dakota | $46,800 | $35,980 | $61,560 |
Ohio | $46,070 | $32,600 | $64,880 |
Oklahoma | $46,610 | $30,320 | $64,610 |
Oregon | $50,680 | $37,850 | $79,160 |
Pennsylvania | $45,660 | $35,400 | $67,630 |
Rhode Island | $49,310 | $36,900 | $72,140 |
South Carolina | $50,640 | $31,010 | $75,840 |
South Dakota | $47,330 | $32,160 | $68,770 |
Tennessee | $47,190 | $30,990 | $74,130 |
Texas | $39,410 | $29,710 | $64,270 |
Utah | $46,000 | $31,830 | $80,640 |
Vermont | $48,290 | $36,400 | $63,220 |
Virginia | $48,550 | $34,320 | $76,020 |
Washington | $54,850 | $38,460 | $81,790 |
West Virginia | $38,610 | $27,960 | $62,000 |
Wisconsin | $49,750 | $36,340 | $65,470 |
Wyoming | $49,370 | $34,300 | $76,390 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
National data
Median Salary: $34,730
Projected job growth: -3.8%
10th Percentile: $24,340
25th Percentile: $29,120
75th Percentile: $43,950
90th Percentile: $51,280
Projected job growth: -3.8%
State data
State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
---|---|---|---|
Alabama | $35,500 | $22,620 | $48,750 |
Alaska | $30,720 | $28,150 | $67,200 |
Arizona | $32,940 | $29,030 | $47,760 |
Arkansas | $34,430 | $25,840 | $47,180 |
California | $32,860 | $29,120 | $53,670 |
Colorado | $37,970 | $28,880 | $49,880 |
Connecticut | $51,160 | $37,590 | $62,620 |
Delaware | $43,530 | $22,570 | $56,730 |
District of Columbia | $32,750 | $32,250 | $35,570 |
Florida | $32,220 | $23,720 | $48,430 |
Georgia | $24,270 | $17,130 | $48,100 |
Hawaii | $49,630 | $37,700 | $54,830 |
Idaho | $40,140 | $26,920 | $53,260 |
Illinois | $40,210 | $24,960 | $52,990 |
Indiana | $35,930 | $23,170 | $49,740 |
Iowa | $38,310 | $22,830 | $49,270 |
Kansas | $35,360 | $27,310 | $48,420 |
Kentucky | $38,730 | $24,340 | $49,530 |
Louisiana | $29,870 | $22,220 | $48,170 |
Maine | $41,800 | $33,640 | $50,670 |
Maryland | $30,370 | $26,000 | $49,100 |
Massachusetts | $39,920 | $33,410 | $49,830 |
Michigan | $33,570 | $22,370 | $48,330 |
Minnesota | $51,330 | $35,140 | $64,440 |
Mississippi | $33,620 | $27,290 | $41,600 |
Missouri | $33,870 | $25,400 | $45,790 |
Montana | $40,890 | $24,530 | $45,600 |
Nebraska | $29,560 | $22,600 | $46,220 |
Nevada | $40,460 | $36,130 | $56,220 |
New Hampshire | $38,050 | $22,130 | $51,950 |
New Jersey | $36,170 | $28,360 | $56,320 |
New Mexico | $23,920 | $23,920 | $43,800 |
New York | $35,200 | $30,400 | $47,110 |
North Carolina | $34,770 | $21,530 | $47,380 |
North Dakota | $37,880 | $21,770 | $47,430 |
Ohio | $32,170 | $23,410 | $51,480 |
Oklahoma | $27,040 | $17,890 | $55,700 |
Oregon | $39,880 | $30,240 | $58,770 |
Pennsylvania | $40,850 | $23,210 | $53,820 |
Rhode Island | $30,440 | $26,400 | $48,880 |
South Carolina | $31,200 | $22,530 | $43,380 |
South Dakota | $38,720 | $30,290 | $55,090 |
Tennessee | $34,730 | $18,180 | $48,230 |
Texas | $32,750 | $22,070 | $53,970 |
Utah | $31,720 | $21,990 | $42,520 |
Vermont | $43,070 | $40,360 | $62,210 |
Virginia | $35,690 | $22,950 | $46,890 |
Washington | $35,520 | $30,140 | $52,370 |
West Virginia | $33,970 | $22,980 | $53,960 |
Wisconsin | $44,530 | $26,140 | $50,440 |
Wyoming | $45,620 | $37,050 | $54,570 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2022 median salary; projected job growth through 2032. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Job Growth
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average for all jobs is 5% through 2032. Here’s how medical billers and coders and transcriptionists compare.
Medical Transcriptionist projected job growth through 2032: -3.8%
What’s Next?
- Medical Biller & Coder: Getting certified as an advanced or specialty coder is one way to advance your career.
- Medical Transcriptionist: Getting certified as a Registered Medical Transcriptionist (RMT) or Certified Medical Transcriptionist (CMT) can help you stand out when applying for jobs.