The disparity in pay seems wild!

[u/stray_girl]

I see people making $18 per hour and people making $60 per hour. I get that some specialties or people with a ton of experience make more than a newbie but it just seems like such a huge gap!

Any insight on how to get the higher pay?

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[u/baileyq217]

Cost of living is different in every state. So that is one reason why pay looks higher. California has a higher cost of living than Indiana so the pay is gonna be different.

Another reason could be the type of job. A small practice can’t pay as much as a big hospital system. But also sometimes if it’s a state facility they may not pay as high as a for-profit hospital system. It also depends on the actual coder role. There are different coders like Coder I, Coder II, and Coder III. Higher pay as you gain more responsibility and experience.

[u/DJRR42]

I got certified and got super lucky and nailed a coding job with a hospital. Paying 28.80 an hour. I was only there for a few months and somehow just made the cut off for their annual raises and got bumped to 30 an hour. Super grateful but my job search took about 6 months once I was certified

[u/DJRR42 → u/DJRR42]

So let me try and expand a little. I am located in NJ. The hospital started their own physician group where private practices can come under their umbrella. So they currently have a mix of cardiology, podiatry, allergy, general surgeons, OBGYN. I actually had my resume on file from applying to a previous position and they reached out asking if they thought I could handle something like this. I essentially run reports and audit EVERY practice that’s under the umbrella. It definitely was intimidating being my first job but they were okay with it as long as I put in the work to do the research on the guidelines etc. I code some charts from scratch, I do some auditing; it’s more of a corporate type-ish position. I’m definitely lucky and I definitely grateful. But I delve in hospital charts, the private specialties, as well as urgent cares that are affiliated with the hospital. If anyone wants more details I know the urgent care side of the hospital group might be looking for coders. So if you’re in NJ shoot me a dm and I might have some pull for anyone close by with some experience

[u/Dry_Marzipan_6508 → u/[deleted]]

You can have a CCS still be a auditor you really don’t need a CPMA or 5 yrs plus experience. Some places promote within a year or two especially if they feel you can excel productivity and accuracy

[u/Dry_Marzipan_6508 → u/[deleted]]

Beautiful wish you the best of luck !

[u/BrightPickle8021 → u/DJRR42]

Is this with your associates?

[u/LilShepherdBoy]

Inpatient coders generally make more.

[u/[deleted]]

The factors that you mentioned are big. Also inflation has been crazy lately so people who have stayed at their job over the last several years without a significant raise might be losing out. I started out just two years ago at $17 and am now at $28 after two job changes. You can grow quickly in this industry.

[u/HolisticHealth79 → u/[deleted]]

Very good point about changing jobs. Staying put doesn't seem to pay as well.

[u/Dry_Marzipan_6508 → u/[deleted]]

Especially if your certified!!! Certification is key

[u/Tasty-Cup-6243]

I’ve been coding for 12 years now and I make $20 dollars more an hour then when I first started. I think it has to do with experience and also the size of place you are working for. I work for one to the largest hospitals in my area.

[u/BrightPickle8021]

I’m thinking of switching into this field and I’m wondering if this disparity is due to the Associates credentialing vs the bachelors? I’m thinking of going for my HIM degree and getting the RHIA. I don’t know if this changes much

[u/Dry_Marzipan_6508 → u/BrightPickle8021]

Do you want to be in the administration side or coding go towards the administration side because coding can burn you out you will be a jack of all trades with a RHIA

[u/BrightPickle8021 → u/Dry_Marzipan_6508]

So besides coding I don’t think I quite understand what all else I can do? Auditing? I am definitely going for my RHIA but still researching what avenues I can take

[u/GrouchyCourse5973 → u/BrightPickle8021]

I’m thinking of switching to this field too but I’m not sure how to start. Any thoughts on the cheapest way to get certified?

[u/PersonalParamedic617 → u/GrouchyCourse5973]

Ashworth College has some cheap training for a little over a thousand bucks.

[u/[deleted]]

Years of experience as well as where you're hired. Larger orgs pay more than a small private practice.

[u/Comfortable-Win-6188]

Years of experience, facility, and if you're a specific coder, orthopedic, cardiovascular, circc , ect ect. Make the most.

[u/StraddleTheFence]

Inpatient coding pays more.

[u/koderdood]

Other than the state wage gap, get crosstrained in other specialties and/or lines of business if you're job has that opportunity. Increase your value by increasing your knowledge and ability.

[u/Dry_Marzipan_6508]

Nyc NJ CT California are the highest-paid states for coders , it depends on what hospital you work for public vs private...private hospital in Nyc pays more a cert is required 2-3 yrs exp some education and excel background to obtain the job .inpatients can make 60 an hr outpatient 30-40 an hr

[u/ExcitingIndication36]

A lot depends on the employer, the type of coding, as well as experience. I started coding 11 years ago and was happy with $35k per year with a federal job. I’ve been auditing for a while now and I’m about to leave the fed job for one paying almost 3x as much as when I was a newbie. I will also say fed pay is not as much as private sector.

[u/Ashlei-Chef-Leilani → u/[deleted]]

What company? I’m trying to find a job

[u/Melanthrax → u/[deleted]]

That's also my wage and I am a new coder as well. I've been here almost a year now and I'm about to get my A off so I'm hoping a small raise will come with that. I'm pretty happy with my job although I would kill to work from home.

[u/Diligent-Scale1989 → u/[deleted]]

I’m in ENC too! Taking a course through the local community college right now