14 of the Best Types of Medical Coder Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Medical Coder jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Medical Coder Jobs

• Senior Medical Coder

  Salary range: $45,000 - $61,500

  Senior Medical Coder is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Senior Medical Coder jobs pay between $45,000 (25th percentile) and $61,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Senior Medical Coder job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Entry Level Medical Coder

  Salary range: $37,500 - $50,000

  There are no formal education requirements to become an entry-level medical coder, though most have at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Many employers provide on-the-job training and start medical coders as billing department assistants; as an assistant, you learn how to navigate through insurance claims procedures and the proper ways to translate medical services into billing codes. Some aspiring medical coders complete a medical coding certificate program or earn an associate degree in medical billing. These programs provide you with hands-on experience in medical billing software and teach you how to understand the different billing codes required to file claims. Certification is not required, but the Registered Health Information Technicians (RHIT) Organization provides certification credentials for those who want to become certified.

• Medical Coder Internship

  Salary range: $37,500 - $50,000

  The primary qualifications for a medical coder internship are enrollment in or graduation from a medical coding program and the ability to acquire a relevant coding certificate. You do not always need a coding certificate for an internship, but they can help you stand out from other applicants. Most medical coders wait until fairly late in their education to seek this kind of internship, as unlike in some other fields, medical coding requires a strong foundation in medical terminology and existing codes, and most students haven't mastered this until close to graduation. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of a medical coding internship requires attention to detail, communication skills, and organizational skills.

• Medical Coder Apprentice

  Salary range: $37,500 - $50,000

  Medical Coder Apprentice is a common job search query. Most salaries for Medical Coder Apprentice jobs pay between $37,500 (25th percentile) and $50,000 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Medical Coder Apprentice job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.

• Virtual Medical Coder

  Salary range: $37,500 - $50,000

  A virtual job refers to a job that can be performed outside of an employer’s office. Also known as remote, work from home, or telecommuting jobs, these positions have become increasingly common because of technology like telephones, internet, email, and video conference calls, which help to facilitate employer-employee communication.

• Union Medical Coder

  Salary range: $37,500 - $50,000

  For those who work for unions, some of the specific jobs include researchers, organizers, administrators, lawyers, communications workers, and clerical staff. Your duties include entering workplaces to speak with workers and provide them encouragement and support if they are interested in joining a specific union, or to negotiate with employers for better working conditions, pay, or benefits for union members. There are numerous types of unions, including health care, public sector, construction, writing, and service workers unions, and they represent a variety of professions, such as nurses, journalists, manufacturers, construction workers, municipal workers, and hotel workers, to name only a few.

• Junior Medical Coder

  Salary range: $37,500 - $50,000

  Junior Medical Coder is a typical job search query. Most salaries for Junior Medical Coder jobs pay between $37,500 (25th percentile) and $50,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Junior Medical Coder job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Per Diem Medical Coder

  Salary range: $37,500 - $50,000

  Per diem jobs are short-term positions which are paid by the day. The most common per diem job opportunities are in the medical field, including positions in nursing, hospice, pediatrics, and midwifery. Phlebotomists, operating (OR) assistants, and pharmacists may also work on a per diem basis. Per diem employees are often contracted to work as admissions coordinators, recreation coordinators, and assistants.

• Freelance Medical Coder

  Salary range: $37,500 - $50,000

  Freelancers are self-employed. As a freelancer, you provide work to clients and invoice them for it. The type of clients you have depends on what kind of services you offer. Your clients can be individuals or companies. A full-time freelancer often has assignments from multiple clients at once. Some common services that people provide as freelancers are: writing, editing, graphic design, web design, marketing, programming, accounting, and bookkeeping. Freelancing is ideal for those who prefer to be their own boss and are willing to market themselves to meet their income goals.

• Medical Coder Trainee

  Salary range: $37,500 - $50,000

  The requirements to get a trainee job vary by industry. In some, such as architecture or accounting, you must graduate from an accredited college program before you can begin work. Other industries, such as retail, manufacturing, or telemarketing, may require only a high school diploma or a GED certificate to begin a training program. No matter what profession you are interested in, you should have strong verbal and written communication and an interest in continuing the career.

• Full Time Medical Coder

  Salary range: $37,500 - $50,000

  Full-time employment hours are generally determined by the employer. There is no single universal definition; however, various laws and policies govern different types of eligibility and statuses. For example, the Fair Labor Standards Act does not define full-time employment but does require overtime pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek for non-exempt employees. The Affordable Care Act, in determining Applicable Large Employers, defines full-time employees as those working an average of at least 30 hours per week, or 130 hours a month. The H-1B Visa Program defines full-time as 40 hours per week, normally, and in no event would less than 35 hours per week be considered to be full-time employment. In practice, full-time employment is typically between 32 and 40 hours per week.

• Temporary Medical Coder

  Salary range: $37,500 - $50,000

  A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

• 3Rd Shift Medical Coder

  Salary range: $37,500 - $50,000

  The 3rd Shift is a work shift that covers overnight hours, roughly 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., for businesses that are open or require staff 24 hours a day. There are tradeoffs for people who work these hours. Those who work this shift find that they work when others sleep, and vice versa. While this can be hard, perks can include a lack of traffic en route to work and pay incentives. Some people also work the 3rd shift to be able to hold a second job or to be available to care for their children during the day.

• Independent Contractor Medical Coder

  Salary range: $37,500 - $50,000

  You find Independent Contractors in many different industries, so the path to becoming one varies significantly. In general, you must have several years of experience in the field and have a track record of success in your industry. You also must pursue the kind of work that can be done on a consultant or contract basis. You may possess particular skills or expertise that a company needs temporarily, such as an IT Consultant, or provide a service that is required intermittently, like a Freelance Writer. Many Independent Contractors transition to becoming self-employed to have a more flexible schedule and the ability to choose their clients.