News and guides · October 14, 2026
Medical Coding Careers 2025–2035: Pay, Job Growth and the Role of AI
BLS projects 8% growth for medical records specialists from 2025 to 2035, about 14,000 openings a year and a $51,140 median wage. Here is what the data say, and what AI changes.
Key takeaways
- Median pay for medical records specialists was $51,140 a year in May 2025 (BLS).
- Employment is projected to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035, with about 14,000 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who leave.
- Certification may be required or preferred by employers.
- AI is automating routine, high-volume coding first; skills in auditing, complex cases and guidelines become more valuable.
What the official data say
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics groups medical coders under medical records specialists. It reports 200,700 jobs in 2025 and a median annual wage of $51,140 in May 2025.
BLS projects employment to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035, which it describes as much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 14,000 openings a year on average. Most of those openings come from people retiring or changing careers.
How people get in
The typical entry route is a postsecondary certificate, though some people qualify with a high school diploma and some employers want an associate's degree. BLS notes that certification may be required or preferred, which is why credentials such as the CPC are common goals for new coders.
What AI is changing
AI-assisted coding tools now suggest codes for routine, high-volume encounters, and new CPT® codes even describe AI-supported clinical services. At least one AI-exposure analysis rates the role as less resilient to AI than most occupations, with entry-level scanning and data-entry work most affected.
The work that remains human is the work exams test: applying the Official Guidelines and conventions, reading documentation critically, knowing when to query a provider, and auditing what an automated tool produced. Those skills are worth practising deliberately.