---
title: "Medical Billing vs Coding: What Is the Difference?"
description: "Medical billing and medical coding are often taught together but are different jobs. Tasks, certifications and May 2025 BLS pay compared."
url: https://careerdirecting.com/compare/medical-billing-vs-medical-coding/
updated: 2026-10-09
site: CareerDirecting
---

Compare · Billing or coding

# Medical billing vs medical coding Translating care into codes, then into payment.

Healthcare office work

Schools often sell billing and coding as one program, and small offices often have one person do both. But they are different jobs: coders read medical records and assign codes; billers use those codes to get claims paid.

In short

Medical coders review patient records and assign standard diagnosis and procedure codes; BLS counts them as medical records specialists, with a May 2025 median of $51,140. Medical billers submit claims, chase denials and work with patients on balances; BLS groups them with billing and posting clerks, at $48,500. Coding usually requires more training.

**Job numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics** Updated October 9, 2026. Pay figures are national medians and are not a promise of what you will earn.

| Side by side | [Medical coder](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/medical-billing-and-coding/) | Medical biller |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay (May 2025) | $51,140 | $48,500 |
| Hourly equivalent | $24.59 | $23.32 |
| Typical way in | Certificate | High school or GED |
| On-the-job training | None listed | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Jobs in the U.S. (2025) | 200,700 | 418,000 |
| Growth, 2025 to 2035 | 7.8% | a decline of 0.1% |
| Openings each year | 14,000 | 37,000 |

Source: [BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm), national medians. Not a promise of what you will earn.

## Day to day

Coders spend most of the day reading charts and choosing codes, often alone. Billers spend more time on the phone with insurers and patients and juggle deadlines and appeals.

## Which to train for

Coding usually pays more and certifications like the CPC open doors. Billing is easier to enter and suits people who like solving problems by phone. Many programs cover both, which gives you options.

## Questions people ask

### Is billing or coding easier?

Billing is usually easier to start; coding requires more detailed knowledge.

### Can I do both?

Yes, especially in small practices.

### Which works remote more often?

Experienced coders frequently work remotely; billers sometimes do too.

## Sources

- [BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035, Table 1.2 (occupational projections and worker characteristics)](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm)
- [BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Medical records specialists](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-records-and-health-information-technicians.htm)
- [BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Billing and posting clerks](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/financial-clerks.htm)

## Where to go next

- [Medical billing and coding](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/medical-billing-and-coding/)
- [Jobs for introverts](https://careerdirecting.com/jobs-without-a-degree/jobs-for-introverts/)
- [At 50](https://careerdirecting.com/career-change/at-50/)
- [Compare](https://careerdirecting.com/compare/)
- [Apprenticeship vs trade school](https://careerdirecting.com/compare/apprenticeship-vs-trade-school/)
- [Barber vs cosmetologist](https://careerdirecting.com/compare/barber-vs-cosmetologist/)
- [Certificate vs associate](https://careerdirecting.com/compare/certificate-vs-associate-degree/)
- [CNA vs LPN](https://careerdirecting.com/compare/cna-vs-lpn/)

---
Canonical page: https://careerdirecting.com/compare/medical-billing-vs-medical-coding/