Medical Coder in Texas

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

Median annual salary

$47,230

trending_down -6.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Texas.

engineering

20,390

Jobs (TX)

monitoring Strong

+7.1%

10-yr job growth

payments

$399

Licensing fees

schedule

3-12 months for training program; exam length varies

Time to complete

route How to become a medical coder in Texas

To become a medical coder in Texas, individuals are not required to hold a state license, as medical coding is a certification-based profession governed by national organizations like the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA). Aspiring coders typically need a high school diploma or GED and should complete a medical coding training program. After training, candidates can pursue national certifications such as the AAPC's Certified Professional Coder (CPC) or AHIMA's Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or Certified Coding Associate (CCA) by passing their respective exams. 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) $31,550

25th percentile $37,780

50th (median) $47,230

75th percentile $61,980

90th (experienced) $77,140

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

checklist Texas requirements

Licensing body	No state-level licensing body; national certifying bodies include AAPC and AHIMA
State license	Not required
Education	High school diploma or GED, and completion of a medical coding training program or relevant experience.
Exam	AAPC CPC, AHIMA CCS, AHIMA CCA (most common) ($399)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	36.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Medical coding is not a state-licensed profession in Texas. 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). Most employers require national certification (CPC or CCS) and HIPAA compliance training, and many require background checks for employees who access protected health information. Minimum age of 18 years old for most training programs. Remote medical coding positions are widely available, allowing coders certified in any state to work for employers nationwide.

Source: No state-level licensing body; national certifying bodies include AAPC and 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?

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

arrow_forward

Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a medical coder in Texas? expand_more

To become a medical coder in Texas, you need to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED, and completion of a medical coding training program or relevant experience.), and pass the AAPC CPC, AHIMA CCS, AHIMA CCA (most common).

Do I need a license to work as a medical coder in Texas? expand_more

medical coders in Texas are not required to hold a state license. Note: Medical coding is not a state-licensed profession in Texas. 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). Most employers require national certification (CPC or CCS) and HIPAA compliance training, and many require background checks for employees who access protected health information. Minimum age of 18 years old for most training programs. Remote medical coding positions are widely available, allowing coders certified in any state to work for employers nationwide.

How much do medical coders make in Texas? expand_more

In Texas, the median pay for medical coders comes to $47,230/year. That's 6% below the national median of $50,250. The range spans from $31,550 at the entry level to $77,140 for top earners.

What are the fees to become a medical coder in Texas? expand_more

Costs include exam fee ($399). The estimated total investment is varies, including education and training.

How long does it take to become a medical coder in Texas? expand_more

Most candidates in Texas complete the process in 3-12 months for training program; exam length varies, from enrollment in a training program through licensure.

Does Texas require continuing education for medical coders? expand_more

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