Medical Coder in North Dakota

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

Median annual salary
$53,550
trending_up +6.6% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, North Dakota.

engineering
360

Jobs (ND)

monitoring Strong
+7.1%

10-yr job growth

schedule
6-12 months for certificate programs; 2 years for associate's degree programs

Time to complete

route How to become a medical coder in North Dakota

To become a Medical Coder in North Dakota, state-level licensing is not required. Instead, professionals pursue national certification through organizations like the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) or the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Key steps involve obtaining a high school diploma or GED, completing a specialized certificate or associate's degree program, and passing a national certification exam such as the AAPC's CPC or AHIMA's CCS/CCA. Maintaining certification typically requires ongoing continuing education and annual membership renewals.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $37,160
25th percentile $41,880
50th (median) $53,550
75th percentile $62,080
90th (experienced) $77,820

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

checklist North Dakota requirements

Licensing bodyNo state-level licensing body (National certifying bodies: AAPC, AHIMA)
State license Not required
EducationHigh school diploma or GED equivalent; completion of a specialized certificate or associate's degree program is preferred by employers.
ExamAAPC CPC, AHIMA CCS, AHIMA CCA (or others offered by these organizations)
RenewalEvery 2.0 years
Continuing education36.0 hours per cycle
NotesMedical coding is not a state-licensed profession in North Dakota. Certification is voluntary at the state level but is a standard requirement for employment. Certifications are offered by national organizations like AAPC (e.g., CPC) and AHIMA (e.g., CCS, CCA). A high school diploma or GED is the minimum education, but employers prefer candidates with a specialized certificate or associate's degree. Maintaining certification requires ongoing continuing education units (36 CEUs every 2 years for CPC holders, 30 CEUs every 2 years for CCS holders) and annual membership renewal.

Source: No state-level licensing body (National certifying bodies: AAPC, AHIMA)

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?
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Frequently asked questions

What are the steps to becoming a medical coder in North Dakota? expand_more
The path to medical coder licensure in North Dakota: complete the required education (High school diploma or GED equivalent; completion of a specialized certificate or associate's degree program is preferred by employers.), and pass the AAPC CPC, AHIMA CCS, AHIMA CCA (or others offered by these organizations).
Is a state license required for medical coders in North Dakota? expand_more
No state license is needed to work as a medical coder in North Dakota. Note: Medical coding is not a state-licensed profession in North Dakota. Certification is voluntary at the state level but is a standard requirement for employment. Certifications are offered by national organizations like AAPC (e.g., CPC) and AHIMA (e.g., CCS, CCA). A high school diploma or GED is the minimum education, but employers prefer candidates with a specialized certificate or associate's degree. Maintaining certification requires ongoing continuing education units (36 CEUs every 2 years for CPC holders, 30 CEUs every 2 years for CCS holders) and annual membership renewal.
What do medical coders earn in North Dakota? expand_more
In North Dakota, the median pay for medical coders comes to $53,550/year. — 7% higher than the $50,250 national figure. Entry-level (10th percentile) starts at $37,160, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) earn $77,820.
How quickly can I become a medical coder in North Dakota? expand_more
In North Dakota, becoming a medical coder generally takes 6-12 months for certificate programs; 2 years for associate's degree programs, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.
How many CE hours do medical coders need in North Dakota? expand_more
North Dakota requires 36.0 hours of continuing education every 2.0 years to maintain your medical coder license.

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