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Associate Coder Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Inpatient Coding Specialist

Columbia, MD · On-site

$28.76 - $48.96/hr

Associate's degree in coding related degree preferred * Bachelor's degree in coding related degree preferred * Courses in Medical Terminology Anatomy & Physiology ICD-CM and ICD-PCS required ...

Associate, Software Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Beyond the technical checklist, looking for someone who writes production quality code as a habit ... Essential Job Functions of the Associate, Software Engineer: * Design, build, and maintain ...

Associate, Software Engineer

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Beyond the technical checklist, looking for someone who writes production quality code as a habit ... Essential Job Functions of the Associate, Software Engineer: * Design, build, and maintain ...

Medical Coding Specialist

Washington, DC · On-site

$25 - $30.76/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Associate's degree preferred. * Minimum of five (5) years of professional medical coding experience. * Current coding certification through AAPC or AHIMA is required. * Extensive knowledge of ICD-10 ...

Medical Coding Auditing Specialist 1 1

Annapolis, MD · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

An associate's degree or higher in Health Information Management or Healthcare Administration or biological science; OR * A university, college, or technical school certificate in medical coding; OR

Medical Coding Auditing Specialist 1 1

Washington, DC · On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

An associate's degree or higher in Health Information Management or Healthcare Administration or biological science; OR * A university, college, or technical school certificate in medical coding; OR

Showing results 21-40

Associate Coder information

See Washington, DC salary details

$12

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How much do associate coder jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate coder in Washington, DC is $17.46, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $17.98 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate coder?

Associate Coders are entry-level professionals who assist in the process of coding medical diagnoses and procedures based on patient records. They typically work under the supervision of senior coders or coding managers, ensuring that healthcare data is accurately translated into standardized codes for billing and insurance purposes. This role is crucial for maintaining compliance with healthcare regulations and for the smooth processing of insurance claims. Associate Coders must have a good understanding of medical terminology, coding systems like ICD-10 and CPT, and attention to detail.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be an associate coder?

To thrive as an Associate Coder, you need a solid understanding of medical terminology, ICD-10/CPT coding systems, and healthcare documentation, typically supported by a coding certification such as CPC or CCA. Familiarity with electronic health record (EHR) systems, coding software, and medical billing platforms is commonly required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and strong organizational skills help ensure accuracy and efficiency in coding assignments. These skills and qualifications are crucial for maintaining compliance, preventing billing errors, and supporting the financial health of healthcare organizations.

What are common challenges faced by associate coders in their first year, and how can they overcome them?

Associate Coders often encounter challenges such as adapting to specific coding guidelines, managing productivity quotas, and keeping up with evolving medical terminology. To overcome these hurdles, it's helpful to actively seek feedback, participate in team training sessions, and utilize reference tools provided by your employer. Building strong communication with senior coders and supervisors can also ease the transition, as they can offer valuable insights and support. Over time, consistent practice and staying current with coding updates will help boost confidence and accuracy.

What is the difference between Associate Coder vs Medical Coder?

AspectAssociate CoderMedical Coder
CertificationsTypically requires CPC or similarRequires CPC or equivalent certification
Work EnvironmentHospitals, clinics, outpatient facilitiesHospitals, physician offices, insurance companies
Job ResponsibilitiesAssists with coding, reviews, and data entryAssigns codes for diagnoses and procedures
Industry UsageCommon entry-level role in healthcare codingStandard professional role in medical coding

Associate Coders and Medical Coders share similar certifications and work environments, often within healthcare facilities. The main difference is that Associate Coders typically perform more support and review tasks, while Medical Coders focus on assigning accurate codes for billing and documentation. Both roles are essential in healthcare revenue cycle management and often require similar credentials.

What are the most commonly searched types of Coder jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Coder jobs in Washington, DC are:

Infographic showing various Associate Coder job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 29% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,324 per year, or $17.5 per hour.

Inpatient Coding Specialist

MedStar Health

Columbia, MD • On-site

$28.76 - $48.96/hr

Other

Posted 15 days ago


Medstar Health rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 240 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

127th of 888 rated healthcare providers


Job description

About the Job

General Summary of Position
The Inpatient Coding Specialist analyzes and interprets clinical documentation to accurately code and abstract inpatient facility records for all MedStar entities in accordance with established ICD-10-CM/PCS coding classification systems.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

  • Contributes to the achievement of established department goals and objectives and adheres to department policies procedures quality standards and safety standards. Complies with governmental and accreditation regulations.
  • Abstracts and ensures accuracy of diagnoses procedure patient demographics and other required data elements.
  • Adheres to all compliance regulations and maintains annual compliance education.
  • Maintains continuing education and seeks ongoing education to improve job performance. Maintains credentials as required for job classification.
  • Contacts physician when conflicting or ambiguous information appears in the medical record. Adheres to the MedStar Coding Query Policy and procedure.
  • Consistently meets or exceeds established Quality standards as defined by policies.
  • Consistently meets or exceeds established Productivity standards as defined by policies.
  • Resolves all quality reviews timely (e.g. Medical necessity reviews; Coding Quality assurance reviews; external vendor reviews).
  • Reviews medical record documentation to identify diagnoses and procedures. Assigns correct diagnostic and procedural codes using standard guidelines and automated encoding software maintaining departmental accuracy standards. Determines the sequence of diagnoses according to Uniform Hospital Discharge Data Definitions and assigns appropriate DRG (Diagnosis Related Groups).
  • Exhibits knowledge of the Solventum system and other work-related equipment.
  • Participates in meetings and on committees and represents the department and hospital in community outreach efforts.
  • Participates in multi-disciplinary quality and service improvement teams.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimal Qualifications
Education

  • High School Diploma or GED required
  • Associate's degree in coding related degree preferred
  • Bachelor's degree in coding related degree preferred
  • Courses in Medical Terminology Anatomy & Physiology ICD-CM and ICD-PCS required

Experience

  • 3-4 years Inpatient coding experience required
  • Experience with clinical information systems (Solventum grouper electronic medical records computer assisted coding) required

Licenses and Certifications

  • CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) required
  • RHIT (Registered Health Information Technician) preferred
  • RHIA (Registered Health Information Administrator) preferred

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

  • Verbal and written communication skills.
  • Basic computer skills required.
  • Strong analytical and organizational skills; ability to prioritize workloads and meet deadlines.

This position has a hiring range of
USD $28.76 - USD $48.96 /Hr.

What Medstar Health employees say

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Medstar Health logo

About Medstar Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

MedStar Health is dedicated to providing the highest quality care for people in Maryland and the Washington, D.C., region, while advancing the practice of medicine through education, innovation, and research. Our team of 32,000 includes physicians, nurses, residents, fellows, and many other clinical and non-clinical associates working in a variety of settings across our health system, including 10 hospitals and more than 300 community-based locations, the largest home health provider in the region, and highly respected institutes dedicated to research and innovation. As the medical education and clinical partner of Georgetown University for more than 20 years, MedStar Health is dedicated not only to teaching the next generation of doctors, but also to the continuing education, professional development, and personal fulfillment of our whole team. Together, we use the best of our minds and the best of our hearts to serve our patients, those who care for them, and our communities. It's how we treat people.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Columbia, MD, US

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