As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Clinical Coding Specialist III in the United States is $66,400 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.
However, a Clinical Coding Specialist III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Clinical Coding Specialist III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Clinical Coding Specialist III's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Coding Specialist I | 0-1 years | $41,062 |
| Clinical Coding Specialist II | 1-3 years | $50,435 |
| Clinical Coding Specialist III | 3-5 years | $66,389 |
| Manager of Medical Records Coding | 5+ years | $80,972 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Clinical Coding Specialist IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Initiative | 2.39% |
| Physiology | 4.41% |
| Medical Billing | 1.85% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Insight
|
$71,712 |
8%
|
|
Interviewing
|
$71,048 |
7%
|
|
Integrity
|
$70,384 |
6%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$69,720 |
5%
|
|
Accountability
|
$69,056 |
4%
|
|
Clinical Documentation
|
$69,056 |
4%
|
Clinical Coding Specialist III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $71,531. While startup companies pay approximate $60,709.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $60,709 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $64,162 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $69,118 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $71,531 |
For Clinical Coding Specialist III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Clinical Coding Specialist positions in Insurance or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Clinical Coding Specialist III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $99,600 | $48.0 | 50% |
| Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit | $73,040 | $35.0 | 10% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Clinical Coding Specialist IIIs enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Clinical Coding Specialist III with a Associate's Degree is between $57,787 and $62,040).
Clinical Coding Specialist III Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.5% |
| High School | 54.1% |
| Associates | 33.7% |
| Bachelors | 10.8% |
| Masters | 0.9% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how a Clinical Coding Specialist III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on August 01, 2026For a Clinical Coding Specialist III, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Manager of Medical Records Coding role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $81,000 - a projected growth of 22% over your current level.
Salaries for a Clinical Coding Specialist III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary increased from $52,817 in 2023 to around $52,946 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Clinical Coding Specialist III salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $52,817 |
| 2024 | $53,301 |
| 2025 | $52,946 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Clinical Coding Specialist III roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.
Clinical Coding Specialists in the USA earn a salary ranging from $54,400 to $71,000, with a median salary of $61,800. While this is lower than software developers, it still offers a competitive wage within the healthcare sector. Overall, coding can provide a stable income, though it varies significantly by specialization and experience.
Registered Nurses generally earn a higher average salary than Clinical Coding Specialists. The salary for Clinical Coding Specialists ranges from $54,400 to $71,000, with a mid-salary of $61,800. Both professions are experiencing steady job growth, but nursing requires more extensive training through in-person programs and clinical rotations.
A Level 3 medical coder operates under general supervision, handling appeals to insurance companies and coding complex medical records. This role requires expertise in documenting all diagnoses and procedures using the latest coding standards. The salary for a Clinical Coding Specialist ranges from $54,400 to $71,000, with a midpoint of $61,800, reflecting the skill and responsibility involved.
HCC coders in the US typically earn between $54,400 and $71,000 annually. The average salary is around $61,800, reflecting the midpoint of this range. These figures provide a clear overview of the earning potential for Clinical Coding Specialists in the industry.
Yes, CPC coders can work from home. Medical coding offers remote opportunities, whether as independent contractors or in part- or full-time roles. Many companies in healthcare technology, health insurance, and administration hire medical coders. Salaries for Clinical Coding Specialists range from $54,400 to $71,000, with a median salary of $61,800.
The difference between a level 3 and level 4 E/M code lies in the complexity of two out of three components: problem, data, and risk. For level 3, they must meet a low level of complexity, while for level 4, they must meet a moderate level. Clinical Coding Specialists typically earn between $54,400 and $71,000, with a median salary of $61,800.
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