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Medical billing and coding professionals play a vital role in New York’s workforce, utilizing their expertise to keep medical offices and other healthcare offices running efficiently. Their knowledge and skills are essential for communications between healthcare providers and insurance companies, and their work ensures that accurate payments are made. This career offers a wide variety of opportunities, and it’s important to have a solid understanding of the salary landscape to make informed decisions.
Snapshot of medical billing and coding in NY
There are roughly 7,860 people employed as medical records specialists in New York says the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This makes New York the fifth-highest employer of medical biller and coders in the country after California, Texas, Florida and Pennsylvania. The median wage per hour is $28, slightly higher than the national average of $23 an hour. The forecasted job growth for the coming decade is 8.5%.
Some of the largest employers for medical billers and coders in the state include:
- MedEx Billing:
- Buffalo, NY. MedEx is a Buffalo-based company that helps medical offices throughout the state handle their billing.
- Paydoc Billing:
- New York City, NY. Paydoc is committed to innovation and staying on top of the latest news and technology in the medical billing and coding world.
- New York Health + Hospitals:
- New York and Brooklyn, NY. The large New York Health + Hospitals network serves the entire New York City metro area and employs around 45,000 people.
- Rochester Regional Health:
- Rochester, NY. The Rochester Regional Health system serves Rochester and the wider Finger Lakes Region with 11 hospitals, over 2,000 medical providers and nearly 20,000 employees.
Medical billing and coding salary in New York
Median medical biller and coder salary in NY
The median annual salary for medical billing and coding professionals in New York ranks above the national median of $48,780. However, it’s important to note that salaries may vary based on factors such as experience, education, industry and location within the state, which may have a higher or lower cost of living.
Medical Records Specialists
10%$38,340
25%$46,200
50%$59,050Median
75%$70,470
90%$82,850
Median Hourly Wage$28
Job growth8.5%
Total Employment7,860
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $61,340 | $41,170 | $94,440 |
| Ithaca, NY | $53,760 | $39,630 | $71,750 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $52,190 | $38,520 | $79,430 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, NY | $51,770 | $37,120 | $81,310 |
| Rochester, NY | $50,760 | $39,270 | $71,710 |
| Syracuse, NY | $50,090 | $38,060 | $69,890 |
| Kingston, NY | $49,160 | $40,250 | $94,010 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $48,240 | $32,720 | $58,470 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $46,880 | $37,790 | $73,890 |
| Binghamton, NY | $46,180 | $34,580 | $80,280 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2023 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.
Salary range for medical billing and coding in New York
The BLS reports that the salary range for medical billing and coding professionals in New York typically spans from $38,340 to $82,850 per year. This salary range includes entry-level positions as well as senior-level roles and takes into account the various factors mentioned above.
Employment by NY metro area
The BLS charts employment by metropolitan areas and they note that large cities logically employ more medical biller and coders than smaller cities or towns. New York City, NY-Newark, NJ-Jersey City, PA, rank number two as largest employer of medical billers in the nation, right after the Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan area.
NY salary growth and job outlook
As is true for many careers within the healthcare field, medical billing and coding is growing. The BLS predicts an overall 8.5% increase in roles for medical billers and coders over the next decade. Where you live in New York can affect employment opportunities. As the most populous metro area in the state, and the country, the New York City metro area has the most jobs for medical billers and coders, with 6,970 employed in the city in 2023. Throughout the state, other medical billers and coders found the most work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls, Ithaca, Rochester, Syracuse and Utica-Niagara Falls.
Factors affecting medical billing and coding salaries in New York
Several factors can influence the salary potential in the medical billing and coding field in the state of NY. These factors may include:
- Experience:
- Your years of experience in the medical billing and coding field can make a big difference in your salary. When you first join the profession and take on entry-level roles, you’ll typically earn a lower salary. As you gain experience and advance your career, your salary may grow along with you.
- Education and certifications:
- As is true in most fields, your level of education can influence your salary. Earning certifications can also help boost your earnings.
- Industry and company size:
- The specific industry you work in and the size of the company can often influence salary ranges. For instance, large healthcare systems can sometimes offer higher salaries than small physician offices.
- Geographic location and cost of living:
- Salaries can vary significantly depending on the location within New York. Medical billers and coders in New York City will typically earn higher wages than those in other areas of the state. However, the cost of living is also higher. It’s important to weigh both factors when making career decisions.
How can I know if I am being paid fairly as a medical biller and coder in New York?
You can take multiple steps to help assess how fair your pay rate is when you’re offered a job, or any time you’re concerned about how salary stacks up. These steps can be a good way to get an idea of how your pay compares:
- Ask and observe. Pay attention in your workplace. If you see other people receiving bonuses, additional days off or other benefits, consider how their employment length education and experience compare to yours. It can also help to start conversations with your coworkers. Don’t be afraid to ask around about raises and other salary factors.
- Research. It’s always important to be armed with information such as the national average pay rate for your role, the local average, and the average for people at your level of experience and education. You can use sites such as the BLS to check. You can also check local job listings to see what companies in your area are offering.
- Reach out to HR. Sometimes, talking to your human resource department or your direct manager can help you get a feel for your career path and any salary bumps that might be upcoming. You can also ask them about any discrepancies you might have noticed between your salary and the salaries of coworkers.
There are federal laws that protect workers in regard to pay. Medical billers and coders in New York are protected by the state’s Equal Pay Provision, which protects workers with some of the strongest equal pay legislation in the country.
New York education requirements
Factors such as your specific role and employer can determine the exact educational requirements you’ll need. However, it’s common for medical billers and coders in New York to have these credentials:
- An educational program. Aspiring medical billers and coders can earn certificates in medical billing and coding in about six to 12 months. Earning a certificate gives you the knowledge you need to take on an entry-level role in the field. Programs are available online and on campus, so you can choose the format that’s the best fit for you.
- A degree in medical billing and coding. Some students choose to pursue an associate degree in medical billing and coding. These degrees can give you a broader knowledge base and might enable you to take on more tasks and responsibilities when you enter the career. Just like certificates, you’ll find associate degree programs online and on campuses.
- Certification. There are no required certifications for medical billers and coders. However, many employers prefer to hire candidates who’ve earned certification. There are several certifications coders can pursue, depending on their level of education and years of experience.
Cost of living considerations
Cost of living is an important factor when you’re evaluating medical billing and coding salaries across New York. Cost of living factors include expenses such as housing, transportation and healthcare. These expenses can vary across cities and regions within New York. It can be a good idea to compare salaries with local expenses. This can help you make decisions about job offers and housing.
For instance, New York City, specifically Manhattan, has the highest cost of living in the country. The state of New York, however, has the 4th highest cost of living in the country, ranking below Hawaii, California and Massachusetts. But at 30% higher than other states, it is still considerably expensive. Some metro and non-metro areas within New York State have much lower costs of living than New York City, especially in areas in Central and Upstate New York. RentCafe cites the following cities with a higher than national average cost of living in NY:
- Manhattan/NYC, NY
- Brooklyn, NY
- Queens, NY
- Hempstead, NY
- Poughkeepsie, NY
- Albany, NY
- Syracuse, NY
- Utica, NY
- Ithaca, NY
And two top cities lower than the national average for cost of living:
- Ilion, NY
- Rochester, NY
New York professional associations and networking
Professional associations can be a great way to network, build your career, learn new skills and more. In New York, medical billers and coders can look into:
- New York Health Information Management Association (NYHIMA)–NYHIMA is the New York branch of the national AHIMA, an organization that offers certifications, courses and other resources for professionals. NYHIMA has conferences, webinars and more for members.
- American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC)–The AAPC is a national organization that offers important resources, such as certification, for medical billers and coders, in all states.
This guide on medical billing and coding salaries in New York is designed to give you a thorough overview of what to expect pay-wise in this healthcare field. Consider it your starting block for making smart career choices, negotiating your salary and setting achievable goals for your education and professional journey.
Written and reported by:
Stephanie Srakocic
Published: December 20, 2023