Top Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Jobs: Start Your Healthcare Career Today
If your looking to break into healthcare without years of medical training, entry-level medical billing and coding jobs offer a fast, practical path. These roles are essential to the financial health of clinics, hospitals, and autonomous practices, turning patient encounters into billable data and ensuring accurate medical records. With rising demand for skilled billers and coders, now is a great time to start your healthcare career today. In this guide, you’ll discover what entry-level medical billing and coding jobs look like, the certifications that boost your employability, where to find these roles, and practical tips to launch a successful career.
What are entry-level medical billing and coding jobs?
Medical billing and coding professionals translate patient care into accurate codes and claims to secure payment from insurers. Entry-level roles focus on foundational tasks, training you to navigate coding guidelines, payer requirements, and health facts systems. While billing focuses on submitting claims and following up on payments, coding emphasizes assigning the correct diagnosis and procedure codes.
- Medical Biller (Entry-Level): Collects patient demographics, prepares and submits claims, manages denials, and tracks payments and coordinations with insurance providers.
- Medical Coder (Outpatient or Inpatient): Reads physician notes, assigns ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT/HCPCS codes, and ensures accuracy for reimbursement and compliance.
- Revenue Cycle Specialist: A broader role that highlights the end-to-end process of the revenue cycle-from patient registration and coding to claim submission and payment posting.
- Health Information Technician (Entry-Level): Maintains patient records, codes information for interoperability, and supports compliance with privacy rules (HIPAA).
- Claims Processor: Focuses on reviewing, editing, and submitting claims to insurers and pursuing timely adjudication and remittance.
- Remote medical Billing Specialist: Performs billing tasks from home, often with flexible schedules and remote-ready EHR systems.
These roles share common requirements, including familiarity with ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT, and HCPCS codes, basic knowledge of the revenue cycle, and a commitment to accuracy. They are also some of the most accessible healthcare careers to start with targeted training and certification.
Certifications and training that help you land an entry-level role
Certifications are the fastest way to demonstrate competence and credibility. For entry-level medical billing and coding, certain certifications are especially practical and respected by employers.
- CPC-A (certified professional Coder – Apprentice): The entry-level credential from the AAPC designed for beginners who are actively training. It signals you’re in the early stages of coding practice and ready for on-the-job learning.
- CPC (Certified Professional Coder): A foundational coding credential suitable after gaining some hands-on experience or completing a robust training program.
- CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) or CCS-P: More advanced credentials from the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) that validate coding expertise for complex settings; often pursued after gaining experience but useful as a goalpost.
- CCA (Certificate of Computer Assisting or Clinical Coding Specialist): Useful for those focusing on the clinical coding pathway in certain employers.
- RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician): An AHIMA credential for health information management,valuable if you’re pursuing broader HIM responsibilities,including coding,documentation advancement,and data integrity.
Training options include online courses, in-person career programs, and community college certificates. A typical pathway might be a 4-12 month program for entry-level billing and coding, followed by on-the-job training and a CPC-A or RHIT path to more advanced positions. costs vary, but many find quality programs that combine coding practice with real-world simulations to be a strong investment in a lasting career.
top entry-level job titles, duties, and expected salaries
Below is a concise look at common entry-level roles, what they involve, and typical salary ranges you might expect in the United States. Salaries vary by location, facility type, and experience, but these figures offer a practical starting point as you plan your career path.
| Job Title | Typical Duties | Common Entry-Level Certification | Approximate Salary (US) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Biller (entry-Level) | Prepare and submit claims, track payments, handle denials, coordinate with patients and providers | CPC-A or CPT/HCPCS knowledge | $33,000 – $50,000 per year |
| Medical Coder (Outpatient) | Code diagnoses and procedures using ICD-10-CM/PCS and CPT/HCPCS; supports payer auditing | CPC-A or CCST/CCS credentials depending on setting | $34,000 – $52,000 per year |
| Revenue Cycle Specialist (Entry-Level) | Oversee end-to-end billing process, posting payments, resolving discrepancies | CPC-A or RHIT background | $35,000 – $54,000 per year |
| Health Information Technician (Entry-Level) | Maintain patient records, ensure coding accuracy, support privacy and compliance | RHIT or CPT/CPC familiarity | $35,000 – $45,000 per year |
| Remote Medical Billing Specialist | Remote submission of claims, denial management, patient interaction, metric tracking | CPC-A or equivalent online training | $36,000 – $52,000 per year |
These salary ranges reflect typical entry-level compensation in many U.S. markets. As you gain experience and pursue higher-level credentials (such as, CPC or CCS), earnings can grow substantially, and remote-friendly roles continue to rise in popularity.
Where to find these entry-level roles
Finding your first job in medical billing and coding is easier than you might think with the right approach and a bit of persistence. Here are the best places to start hunting for entry-level roles:
- Healthcare systems and clinics: Hospitals, outpatient clinics, and community health centers frequently hire entry-level billers and coders to support daily revenue cycles.
- Medical billing companies: Specialized outsourcing firms routinely hire junior coders and billers to handle multiple practices’ claims.
- Physician practices: Private practice settings often need reliable entry-level staff for ongoing billing and coding tasks.
- Job boards: Popular sites like Indeed, Glassdoor, LinkedIn, and specialized healthcare boards regularly post entry-level positions.
- remote job platforms: Remote-friendly listings on sites like FlexJobs, Remote.co, and healthcare-specific remote boards abound.
- Career centers: Community colleges and certification programs often maintain job placement resources for graduates.
Key skills and tools to master
To stand out for entry-level medical billing and coding roles, focus on both hard and soft skills. The right combination improves accuracy,speed,and teamwork in fast-paced healthcare settings.
ICD-10-CM/PCS, CPT, HCPCS; understanding of coding guidelines and payer-specific rules. - Billing and claims knowledge: Claims submission, denial management, payment posting, and patient billing support.
- Health Information Management (HIM) basics: Understanding of health records, data integrity, privacy, and security (HIPAA).
- EHR and practice management software: Proficiency with platforms like EPIC, Cerner, Allscripts, or MEDITECH, plus general spreadsheet skills.
- Analytical and detail-oriented mindset: Accuracy in coding and ensuring claim quality to minimize denials.
- Communication and teamwork: Clear communication with clinicians,insurance adjusters,and patients to resolve issues.
- Time management: Ability to manage high volume tasks, meet claims deadlines, and stay organized.
Benefits and practical tips for starting your career today
Choosing a path in entry-level medical billing and coding comes with several tangible benefits. It can be a fast-track into healthcare with flexible schedules, frequently enough remote options, and a clear route to career advancement.
- Fast entry path: shorter training periods compared to many other healthcare roles.
- Remote work opportunities: A rising number of entry-level billing roles offer remote or hybrid work arrangements.
- Clear progression: With additional certifications (CPC, CCS, RHIT), you can move into senior coding, audit, or HIM leadership roles.
- Stability and demand: Medical billing and coding remain essential as healthcare continues to grow and payer systems evolve.
- Continuous learning: The field offers ongoing learning about new coding guidelines,payer rules,and health information standards.
Case studies: real-world pathways to success
Case Study 1: Jenna’s leap into a remote billing role
Jenna was finishing a community college certificate in medical billing and coding. She earned her CPC-A and completed a 6-month internship with a multi-specialty clinic. Within three months, she transitioned to a remote medical billing specialist position, handling claims for Medicare and private payers. Her day-to-day included claim submissions, denials management, and patient inquiries. after a year, Jenna pursued CPC certification and expanded into revenue cycle analysis, increasing her salary by 18% and taking on mentoring for new hires.
Case Study 2: Malik builds a full HIM foundation
Malik started with an entry-level health information technician role at a regional hospital after earning an RHIT credential.He supported coding audits, ensured high data quality in electronic health records, and collaborated with clinicians to improve documentation. After 18 months, Malik earned additional certifications and transitioned into a coding specialist position with higher complexity and responsibility.His career path demonstrates how an initial HIM-focused role can open doors to advanced coding and data governance opportunities.
First-hand experience: what working in this field feels like
Many entry-level billing and coding professionals describe daily work that is structured, purposeful, and essential to patient care. The job requires precision, critical thinking, and a willingness to learn. if you enjoy puzzle-solving, data interpretation, and helping clinicians operate efficiently, you’ll find satisfaction in coding accurately and ensuring patients’ bills reflect the care they received. The work can be collaborative, frequently enough with cross-functional teams in clinics, hospitals, and outsourced billing firms. You’ll see the tangible impact of your accuracy on claim approvals, revenue, and patient financial experience.
Practical steps to start your journey today
Decide if you want to focus on medical billing, medical coding, or a hybrid role like revenue cycle specialist. If you’re new, aim for CPC-A or RHIT depending on whether you prefer coding or HIM foundations. Enroll in a recognized certificate program or community college course that includes hands-on coding and practice with EHRs. Seek internships, externships, or volunteer opportunities that provide real-world claim submissions and coding tasks. Include coding samples, completed practice assessments, and any internship experiences. Target clinics, physician practices, and billing companies; leverage linkedin and industry job boards. Be ready to discuss coding guidelines, payer rules, common denials, and your process for accuracy.
Conclusion: a strong start to your healthcare career
Entry-level medical billing and coding jobs offer a practical, accessible route into the healthcare industry.With targeted training, the right certifications, and a proactive job search, you can land a role that supports patient care, improves clinic finances, and lays a solid foundation for ongoing professional progress. Whether you’re drawn to the precise work of coding, the billing workflow that keeps practices solvent, or the flexibility of remote positions, the pathway is clear: gain foundational knowledge, earn a respected credential, and seize opportunities to advance into higher-level coding, HIM leadership, or revenue cycle expertise. Start today, and you’ll be on your way to a rewarding healthcare career that’s designed to grow with you.
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