[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Nurse coding jobs offer another career option to registered nurses (RNs) seeking non-clinical work. An RN coder can work from home and has a more predictable work schedule compared to nurses, who often work overnight, holiday, and weekend shifts. This guide highlights RN coder salaries and how to improve your salary potential.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Average Salary for RN Coders[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″][hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/registered-nursing/rn-coder/”]RN coders[/hen-ui-link] earn an average annual salary of $84,699, or $41 an hour, according to ZipRecruiter. RN coder salaries are comparable to clinical nurse salaries and are typically higher than other coding and billing salaries.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]To become an RN coder, you need an active registered nursing license, which requires an [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/adn/”]associate degree in nursing (ADN)[/hen-ui-link] or a [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/bsn/”]bachelor of science in nursing (BSN)[/hen-ui-link] degree. Holding an RN license can help coders pursue higher average salaries than other health technology professionals.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), health information technologists and medical registrars earned a median annual salary of $58,250 as of May 2022. RN jobs can pay $61,250-$129,400, reports the BLS, depending on the [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/articles/best-nursing-specialities-for-the-future/”]nursing specialty[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Factors that may influence your earnings include your [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/degrees/types-of-nursing-degrees/”]healthcare degree[/hen-ui-link], experience, credentials, setting, and location.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-grid columns-md=”2″ gap=”md”] [/hen-ui-grid][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online MSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Highest-Paying States for RN Coders[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) provides state-level salary data for [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/healthcare/medical-billing-and-coding/salary/”]medical billing and coding professionals[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While these salaries do not reflect earnings for RN coder jobs specifically, they may provide insights as to where RN coders can anticipate higher or lower wages.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]On the low end, billing and coding specialists in West Virginia make an average annual salary of $52,556. But California billers and coders earn the highest average salary of $76,695.[/hen-ui-text]

[hen-ui-table][hen-ui-table-caption]Top 5 Highest-Paying States for RN Coders[/hen-ui-table-caption][hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]Rank[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]State[/hen-ui-table-head][hen-ui-table-head scope=”col”]2023 Average Salary[/hen-ui-table-head][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-header][hen-ui-table-body][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]1[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]California[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2023 Average Salary”]$76,695[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]2[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]Rhode Island[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2023 Average Salary”]$73,611[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]3[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]Massachusetts[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2023 Average Salary”]$72,510[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]4[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]New Jersey[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2023 Average Salary”]$70,228[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-row][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”Rank”]5[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”State”]New York[/hen-ui-table-cell][hen-ui-table-cell data-title=”2023 Average Salary”]$70,187[/hen-ui-table-cell][/hen-ui-table-row][/hen-ui-table-body][/hen-ui-table]

[hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]How Do RN Coder Salaries Compare to Other Healthcare Roles?[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The BLS projects medical records specialist jobs to increase by 8% from 2022-2032, which is faster than the average growth for all U.S. jobs. The continued use of electronic health records and a growing aging population will contribute to the increased demand for nurse coders.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/registered-nursing/”]registered nurses[/hen-ui-link] earn a higher average salary than coders, RN coders make more on average than technologists and technicians without an RN license.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Four Ways to Increase Pay as an RN Coder[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RN coders can increase their salaries by taking proactive steps, including earning certifications, obtaining a higher degree, pursuing a specialty, and changing work settings.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Earn Additional Certifications and Credentials[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base text-body”]RN coders earn above-average salaries, and obtaining certification can further boost their salary potential. The AAPC indicates that RN coders can increase their paychecks with certifications, including certified professional billers, certified professional coders, and certified outpatient coders.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Choose a Specialty[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base text-body”]RN coders can gain recognition for their expertise and boost their salaries by pursuing specialties through the AAPC. Specialties include cardiology, dermatology, anesthesia and pain management, and pediatrics. Nurse coders understand specific medical terminology to handle insurance and patient claims.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Earn a Bachelor’s in Nursing[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base text-body”]It only takes an associate degree in nursing to become an RN coder, but earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) provides advancement opportunities. With a BSN, RN coders can become medical and health services managers who earn a median annual salary of $104,830, according to the BLS.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h4″]Change Practice Settings[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ class=”text-base text-body”]Salaries for RN coders vary by setting. RN coders can find the highest salaries working for major healthcare organizations. Health systems pay medical billing and coding professionals an average salary of $59,129, [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.aapc.com/tools/medical-coding-salary-survey/” target=”_blank”]according to the AAPC[/hen-ui-link]. Those at solo practices and small group practices might earn $50,709 a year.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Frequently Asked Questions About RN Coder Salaries[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-accordion variant=”no-background”] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”Are RN coders in demand?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Yes. The growing aging population will require employers to hire more RN coders. Individuals with knowledge of specialized systems will be in high demand. RN coders enjoy relative job security.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What are the top-paying cities for RN coders?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Surf City, New Jersey, pays nurse coders the highest average salary of $92,098, according to Ziprecruiter. The second and third highest-paying cities for RN coders are Bolinas, California, and Harris, Minnesota, which pay nurse coders average salaries of $91,012 and $89,431, respectively.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”What skills can increase RN coder salaries?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The AAPC recommends that RN coders earn certifications in specialty areas to compete in the changing job market. RN coders can continue to grow professionally by pursuing higher degrees and keeping up to date on changes in the field.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item] [hen-ui-accordion-item title=”How much does it cost to become a certified coder?” expanded=”true”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]RN coders pay for courses and exams, along with other expenses. AAPC offers courses that cost about $2,295-$3,095. Exams cost $399-$475 and include two attempts. Members receive significant discounts. RN coders can also take supplementary courses in medical terminology, anatomy, and physiology.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-accordion-item][/hen-ui-accordion][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Related Resources[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-article-row variant=”slider” ids=”52824,34059,33977″][/hen-ui-article-row]