Medical Coder in Massachusetts

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$57,220

trending_up +13.9% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Massachusetts.

engineering

3,450

Jobs (MA)

monitoring Strong

+7.1%

10-yr job growth

schedule

Typically 4-24 months for educational programs, depending on certificate or associate degree.

Time to complete

route How to become a medical coder in Massachusetts

To become a medical coder in Massachusetts, you do not need a state license, as it is not a state-regulated profession. However, national certification is almost universally required by employers, with the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) being the primary certifying bodies. Aspiring coders typically complete a certificate or associate degree program in medical coding and then pass a national certification exam, such as the CPC from AAPC or the CCS/CCA from AHIMA. Maintaining certification requires ongoing continuing education, typically 36 CEUs every two years for AAPC CPC holders and 30 CEUs every two years for AHIMA CCS holders.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $40,830

25th percentile $47,460

50th (median) $57,220

75th percentile $71,710

90th (experienced) $83,540

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Massachusetts. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Massachusetts requirements

Licensing body	No state-level licensing body; national certification bodies like AAPC and AHIMA are standard for employment.
State license	Not required
Education	High school diploma or GED equivalent is the minimum; most employers prefer a certificate or associate degree in medical coding or health information technology.
Exam	Common national certification exams include Certified Professional Coder (CPC) by AAPC and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or Certified Coding Associate (CCA) by AHIMA.
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	36.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Medical coding is not a state-licensed profession in Massachusetts. Certification is voluntary at the state level but is a standard requirement for employment. Most employers require national certification (CPC or CCS) and HIPAA compliance training, and many require background checks. Minimum age is generally 18 to sit for national certification exams (implied by high school diploma/GED requirement).

Source: No state-level licensing body; national certification bodies like AAPC and AHIMA are standard for employment.

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+7.1%

Faster than average

Annual openings

14,200

Nationwide per year

Total employment

194,800

Nationwide

balance Is it worth it?

infoNo state license required — lower barrier but weaker signal
check_circleStrong 10-year job growth (+7.1%)

psychology

Wondering if a medical coder career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a medical coder in Massachusetts? expand_more

To become a medical coder in Massachusetts, you need to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED equivalent is the minimum; most employers prefer a certificate or associate degree in medical coding or health information technology.), and pass the Common national certification exams include Certified Professional Coder (CPC) by AAPC and Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or Certified Coding Associate (CCA) by AHIMA..

Is a state license required for medical coders in Massachusetts? expand_more

No state license is needed to work as a medical coder in Massachusetts. Note: Medical coding is not a state-licensed profession in Massachusetts. Certification is voluntary at the state level but is a standard requirement for employment. Most employers require national certification (CPC or CCS) and HIPAA compliance training, and many require background checks. Minimum age is generally 18 to sit for national certification exams (implied by high school diploma/GED requirement).

What do medical coders earn in Massachusetts? expand_more

The median medical coder salary in Massachusetts is $57,220 per year. — 14% higher than the $50,250 national figure. New medical coders start around $40,830; seasoned professionals can reach $83,540.

What's the timeline to become a medical coder in Massachusetts? expand_more

The typical timeline in Massachusetts is Typically 4-24 months for educational programs, depending on certificate or associate degree.. This includes completing education, gaining any required experience, and passing the licensing exam.

What are the continuing education requirements for medical coders in Massachusetts? expand_more

License renewal in Massachusetts requires completing 36.0 hours of continuing education on a 2.0-year cycle.