How to Become a Medical Coder in Georgia (2026)
Georgia employs about 5,930 medical coders earning a median $51,550 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Medical Records Specialists”). Training as a Medical Coder here means completing a short coding or health-information program plus CPC, CCS, or RHIT; most states do not license these roles.
Compare Medical Coder Schools in Georgia
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern Crescent Technical College | 54.3 | $3,516 in-state / $6,084 out-of-state | $47,009 | 58% | Yes* | 31 mi |
| 2 | South Georgia Technical College | 54.3 | $3,992 in-state / $7,202 out-of-state | $40,852 | 61% | Yes* | 61 mi |
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| 3 | Atlanta Technical College | 47.9 | $3,382 in-state / $5,950 out-of-state | $40,964 | 49% | Yes* | 61 mi |
| 4 | Central Georgia Technical College | 46.5 | $3,448 in-state / $6,016 out-of-state | $42,979 | 47% | Yes* | 30 mi |
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| 5 | Georgia Military College | 34.1 | $8,112 | $39,508 | 38% | Yes* | 42 mi |
| 6 | Atlanta Metropolitan State College | 32.6 | $3,248 in-state / $10,400 out-of-state | $40,965 | 17% | Yes* | 61 mi |
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| 7 | Miller-Motte College-Macon | 22.1 | Contact school for pricing | $34,393 | 13% | — | 14 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Georgia employs approximately 5,930 workers in the related “Medical Records Specialists” category (SOC 29-2072), with a median annual wage of $51,550 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 7.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,200 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Medical Coder in Georgia, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track medical coder salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Medical Records Specialists (SOC 29-2072). Actual medical coder earnings may vary.
At a Glance
- Training paths: medical billing, coding, or health-information program (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a short coding or health-information program plus CPC, CCS, or RHIT; most states do not license these roles
- Exam: CPC, CCS, or RHIT
- Median wage (Georgia): $51,550 per year (based on related “Medical Records Specialists” category) 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Medical Coder in Georgia
How to become a Medical Coder in Georgia? Complete a short coding or health-information program plus CPC, CCS, or RHIT; most states do not license these roles. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish a short coding or health-information program plus CPC, CCS, or RHIT; most states do not license these roles. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.
Do I need a license in Georgia? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect CPC, CCS, or RHIT. See the licensing section below.
What do medical coders earn in Georgia? The BLS does not track medical coder wages separately. Based on the related “Medical Records Specialists” category, the median annual wage in Georgia is $51,550, with entry-level wages around $36,260 and experienced workers earning $81,580 or more 1.
How to Become a Medical Coder in Georgia
- Meet program entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED.
- Complete a billing, coding, or HIT program. Finish a certificate or associate program. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
- Earn CPC, CCS, or RHIT. Pass AAPC CPC, AHIMA CCS, or RHIT depending on the role. Employers typically require a named credential.
- No statewide license in most states. Do not invent a licensing board for billers and coders.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Medical Coder License Requirements in Georgia
Most states do not license medical billers, coders, or health-information technicians. Employers expect CPC, CCS, or RHIT.
Typical path
Complete a program.
Earn CPC, CCS, or RHIT.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Medical Coder Wages by Metro Area in Georgia
Medical Records Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Georgia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), medical records specialists wages in Georgia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell | 2,790 | $58,950 | $60,740 | $39,310 | $90,370 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 410 | $53,830 | $56,270 | $36,940 | $75,360 |
| Chattanooga | 350 | $49,020 | $76,090 | $37,450 | $105,240 |
| Savannah | 300 | $48,900 | $51,070 | $35,250 | $69,240 |
| Columbus | 170 | $52,580 | $55,140 | $36,060 | $75,390 |
| Macon-Bibb County | 160 | $45,790 | $47,280 | $34,070 | $63,940 |
| Gainesville | 110 | $46,800 | $50,170 | $37,330 | $64,690 |
| Athens-Clarke County | 100 | $46,350 | $47,430 | $35,200 | $61,460 |
| Rome | 70 | $51,400 | $51,710 | $38,990 | $63,590 |
| Valdosta | 70 | $46,770 | $46,330 | $30,390 | $68,490 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons | 60 | $46,970 | $50,180 | $35,300 | $82,310 |
| Albany | 50 | $38,010 | $41,760 | $29,220 | $57,980 |
| Dalton | 50 | $40,470 | $45,570 | $33,240 | $64,060 |
| Hinesville | 40 | $55,880 | $58,470 | $43,010 | $76,400 |
| Warner Robins | 40 | $43,230 | $47,770 | $35,580 | $69,960 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for medical coders in Georgia? Georgia employs approximately 5,930 workers in the related “Medical Records Specialists” category 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 7.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Georgia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Georgia.
How much do medical coders earn in Georgia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical coders in Georgia is $51,550 (based on the related “Medical Records Specialists” category), which is $1,300 above the national median of $50,250 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |