What is the entry level CPC salary?

The medical billing and coding field is advancing daily and demands more accuracy, efficiency, professionalism, and skills to overcome hurdles that influence the excellent financial health of medical practice. Therefore, healthcare practitioners recruit those individuals with certifications such as CPC and pay them accordingly because these certified individuals have all the skills necessary for running a medical practice’s revenue cycle smoothly. Coders who do not earn CPC certifications are paid less, and healthcare sectors that do not employ certified coders always compromise their revenue.

Are you thinking about a healthcare billing and coding career, but you are unsure how much income a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) at the entry level would be? Don’t look elsewhere! We will go over the normal compensation range for entry-level CPCs in this article and other elements that may affect your earning potential. This knowledge can assist you in making wise decisions regarding your future, whether you are just starting in the industry or thinking about a career shift.

What Certified Professional Coders (CPC) Do?

Certified Professional Coders (CPCs) have completed a rigorous training program and passed a CPC certification exam to demonstrate their proficiency in medical coding. According to an American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) survey, most CPCs work in a physician’s office or outpatient facility. However, CPCs can work remotely in hospitals, consulting firms, or as independent contractors:

• These professionals assign specific codes to medical diagnoses, procedures, and treatments to bill insurance companies and other healthcare payers accurately.
• In addition to coding, CPCs may also be responsible for other tasks, such as reviewing claims for accuracy, submitting claims to insurance companies, and following up on denied claims.
• They may also assist with training and mentoring other coding staff and ensuring that coding is completed promptly and efficiently.

How much does an Entry Level CPC coder make?

The “2022 Medical Coding and Billing Salary Survey” by AAPC reiterate the point that certification pays more.

Average CPC Salary Per Year

• As stated by AAPC, a CPC can expect to make $45,456 per year as their beginning pay.
• Another report states that Entry Level CPC Coders in the United States make an average of $46,901 per year as of December 29, 2022.
• Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential, Medical Billing And Coding Entry Level Salaries by Percentile in the US as of December 27, 2022.

CPC Salary Per Hour

• Additionally, PayScale, which reviewed statistics from 3,664 medical coders, reported that the entry-level medical coding wage in August 2020 was $16.16 per hour.
• Hourly wage CPC salary in the United States ranges in-between $24 and $33 as of December 27, 2022. Based on HR-reported data: a national average with a geographic differential, here is a graph.

Medical coder job growth trend

The demand for CPCs is expected to grow as the healthcare industry increasingly relies on electronic medical records and the need for accurate coding and billing increases.

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the employment of medical records and health information technicians, which includes CPCs, will grow by 11% from 2019 to 2029.
• Additionally, gaining experience in medical coding opens up professional growth options into prestigious positions in the healthcare industry, like medical auditing, practice management, compliance, and clinical documentation optimization.

Factors that affect entry level CPC salary

The entry-level AAPC CPC salary is not the same for every individual; it varies from person to person. The reason is that myriad factors significantly impact the wages of a CPC. Some elements are discussed below:

Experience makes a difference

Experience shows a hiring manager that you are a professional at your job, capable of day-to-day handling obligations, and ready to excel, and it can significantly impact the entry-level CPC salary. According to AAPC, if the alone experience is considered, the income rate increases by approximately 60%. This is because experienced individuals have a deeper understanding of the industry and a proven track record of success. They are typically more skilled at navigating the complexities of the healthcare system and can provide a higher level of service to their clients.

The industry in which you work

Different industries may have different salary ranges for CPCs. According to the BLS, the wage of medical coders varies depending on the workplace and expertise level. For instance, general hospitals paid their coders a median of $49,370 instead of $41,500 for doctors’ offices.

Geographic location

The geographical location might impact a CPC’s starting pay for many reasons, among which the primary reason is the cost of living, which varies widely across the nation.

For example:

• The Northeast and West regions frequently have more significant living expenses than other regions, which can result in higher incomes to cover these expenses.
• According to the poll, the Northeast region of the United States had the highest average annual wage for entry-level CPCs, at $53,024. With an average salary of $50,608 annually, the West area came in second. With an average yearly salary of $44,939, the Midwest had the lowest average.
• Someone working in New York City may earn a higher salary to account for the higher cost of living in that area.

Size of the organization

The starting pay for a licensed professional coder might vary greatly depending on the firm’s size. Because they have more financial resources and are better able to recruit excellent individuals, larger firms typically pay higher salaries. According to the poll, the median pay for CPCs employed by businesses with less than 50 workers was $41,000, while the median income for those employed by businesses with 500 or more employees was $54,000.

Skills

The Certified Professional Coder (CPC) entry-level compensation can be considerably influenced by technical and non-technical skills. Similar findings were discovered in a survey conducted by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Participants with technical and non-technical skills earned an average of $58,000 per year, compared to $53,000 for participants who only had technical skills.

Ways to increase your entry-level CPC salary

There are numerous ways for a CPC to earn more than expected by following certain factors mentioned below:

Certifications make it rain

Obtaining additional education and certifications will demonstrate a high level of expertise, leading to a high salary.

Gaining experience

According to a survey conducted by the National Society of Certified Healthcare Business Consultants, professionals with several years of experience in the field earn higher salaries than those just starting out. This is not to say that entry-level CPCs cannot earn competitive wages, but rather that experience is a factor that can significantly impact you to earn more.

Networking

Building good and strong relationships with industry professionals opens doors to advanced and high-paying job opportunities.

Negotiate salary

A person’s ability to successfully define their potential and negotiate for an equitable and competitive wage can have a considerable impact on the entry-level CPC salary. The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) conducted a poll, and the results showed that individuals who prioritized negotiation received better wages than those who did not.