Medical Claims Processor Salary in the United States

How much does a Medical Claims Processor make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Medical Claims Processor in the United States is $38,035 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, a Medical Claims Processor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $44,777
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $35,051 to $41,564
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $32,334

Key Factors That Influence Medical Claims Processor Salaries

A Medical Claims Processor'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.

How Experience Level Affects Medical Claims Processor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Medical Claims Processor'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $38,657
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $44,607
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $50,339
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $71,014
  • Expert (over 8 years): $98,807
Levels Salary
Medical C... Level Medical Claims Processor$38,657
Claims Pr... Level Medical Claims Processor$44,607
Claims Pr... Level Medical Claims Processor$50,339
Claims Pr... Level Medical Claims Processor$71,014
Claims Pr... Level Medical Claims Processor$98,807

Top Paying Cities for Medical Claims Processors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $47,974
  • San Francisco: $47,449
  • Oakland: $46,449

What Skills Can Increase a Medical Claims Processor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 15.28% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • CPT (Mentioned in 1.99% Job Postings): Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) is a medical code set that is used to report medical, surgical, and diagnostic procedures and services to entities such as physicians, health insurance companies and accreditation organizations.
  • Claim Reviews (Mentioned in 1.34% Job Postings): A claims review is the process in which the underwriter reviews a claim to assure that it meets a set of standards.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 15.28%
CPT 1.99%
Claim Reviews 1.34%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Medical Claims Processor's salary.

  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Call Center: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Pricing: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coaching $45,262
19%
Call Center $43,360
14%
Pricing $40,698
7%

Medical Claims Processor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Medical Claims Processor roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Insurance, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Medical Claims Processor positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Medical Claims Processor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Medical Claims Processor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$45,642$22.020%

How Education impacts a Medical Claims Processor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Medical Claims Processors enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Medical Claims Processor with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $38,550 and $40,210).

Medical Claims Processor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Medical Claims Processor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.6%
High School 52.5%
Associates 23.0%
Bachelors 16.4%
Masters 1.6%
Doctorate 0.0%

Medical Claims Processor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Medical Claims Processor'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 September 01, 2026
$35,051
Average $38,035/year
$41,564
$2,921
Average $3,170/month
$3,464
$674
Average $731/week
$799
$17
Average $18/hour
$20
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $41,564 $3,464 $799 $20
Average $38,035 $3,170 $731 $18
25th Percentile $35,051 $2,921 $674 $17

Most common benefits for Medical Claims Processor

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Medical Claims Processor

Here are companies hiring for Medical Claims Processor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Medical Claims Processor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Medical Claims Processor?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Medical Claims Processor roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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