Medical coding is a rapidly developing field that projects to expand over the next decade. As medical records continue to become digitized all over the world, opportunities for employment has become greater than the amount of qualified candidates. In response to this skills gap, many universities are offering medical coding training programs online that provide their graduates with great return on investment. For reference to some of the best medical coding training programs online, check out our list of the 15 Top Accredited Online Medical Billing and Coding Schools. The salary of medical coding training program graduates varies based on the position for which they are hired, as there are many available jobs in hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other clinical settings. Let’s take a look at the responsibilities and salaries for some of the most common jobs in the field of medical coding.
Medical Records and Health Information Technician
Medical records and health information technicians manage and organize health information for patients in doctor’s offices, hospitals, and other clinical settings. They need to be able to use specific software and classification systems that are taught in medical coding training programs, in order to classify and access patient information accurately. According to the Bureau of Labor statistics, Medical Records and Health Information Technicians currently:
- Make an average salary of $39,180 per year
- Have a workforce of 206,300 currently employed positions
- Project to have more employment opportunities, as the field is expected to grow by 13% over the next decade
Compensation and Benefits Manager
Compensation and benefits managers use information systems to use programs to compensate employees in various professional settings, including but not limited to healthcare institutions. The job requires an understanding of tax codes, healthcare benefits, and retirement plans. Compensation and Benefits Managers currently:
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- Make an average of $119,120 per year
- Have a workforce of 15,800 currently employed positions
- Project to have a 5% increase in employment opportunities over the next decade
Medical and Health Services Manager
Medical and health services managers coordinate the logistics to provide healthcare while adhering to federal laws and regulations and keeping up to date with the latest healthcare technology. They are expected to be proficient in the latest medical coding languages including Current Procedural Terminology (CPT), International Classification of Diseases (ICD), Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
They work in a variety of medical facilities and sometimes organize home care for patients with chronic illnesses. Medical and Health Services Managers currently:
- Make an average salary of $28,350 per year
- Have a workforce of 352,200 currently employed positions
- Project to have a staggering 20% increase of available employment opportunities over the next decade
Pharmacy Technician
Pharmacy Technicians work in pharmacies to help dispense prescription medication to customers or doctors and medical facilities. They’re primary task is to aid pharmacists with proper distribution to make sure that patients get their correct medication. Pharmacy Technicians currently:
- Make an average salary of $31,750 per year
- Have a workforce of 402,500 currently employed positions
- Project to have an increase of 12% in available employment opportunities over the next decade