Medical Coder in Virginia

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

Median annual salary

$51,780

trending_up +3.0% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Virginia.

engineering

4,980

Jobs (VA)

monitoring Strong

+7.1%

10-yr job growth

schedule

3-12 months for certification preparation programs

Time to complete

route How to become a medical coder in Virginia

To become a medical coder in Virginia, state licensure is not required; however, professional certification from national organizations is a standard expectation for employment. Aspiring coders typically complete a certification preparation course, which can range from a few months to a year, and then pass an exam such as the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) by AAPC or the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) by AHIMA. Maintaining certification generally requires completing continuing education units every two years.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $35,560

25th percentile $42,600

50th (median) $51,780

75th percentile $63,450

90th (experienced) $76,560

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

checklist Virginia requirements

Licensing body	No state-level licensing body (Certification by national organizations is standard)
State license	Not required
Education	High school diploma or GED equivalent; completion of a certification preparation course is highly recommended and often preferred by employers.
Exam	Commonly CPC (AAPC), CCS (AHIMA), or CBCS (NHA)
Renewal	Every 2.0 years
Continuing education	36.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Medical coding is not a state-licensed profession in Virginia. 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), AHIMA (e.g., CCS), and NHA (e.g., CBCS). Some certifications, like the CPC, may require two years of work experience or 80 contact hours of a coding preparation course plus one year of on-the-job experience for full status.

Source: No state-level licensing body (Certification by national organizations is standard)

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 Virginia? expand_more

In Virginia, becoming a medical coder requires you to complete the required education (High school diploma or GED equivalent; completion of a certification preparation course is highly recommended and often preferred by employers.), and pass the Commonly CPC (AAPC), CCS (AHIMA), or CBCS (NHA).

Can I work as a medical coder in Virginia without a license? expand_more

No state license is needed to work as a medical coder in Virginia. Note: Medical coding is not a state-licensed profession in Virginia. 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), AHIMA (e.g., CCS), and NHA (e.g., CBCS). Some certifications, like the CPC, may require two years of work experience or 80 contact hours of a coding preparation course plus one year of on-the-job experience for full status.

How much do medical coders make in Virginia? expand_more

Virginia medical coders bring home a median salary of $51,780. This is close to the national median of $50,250. The range spans from $35,560 at the entry level to $76,560 for top earners.

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

In Virginia, becoming a medical coder generally takes 3-12 months for certification preparation programs, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

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

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