Health information coder vs health care administrator

The differences between health information coders and health care administrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a health information coder and a health care administrator. Additionally, a health care administrator has an average salary of $68,187, which is higher than the $54,353 average annual salary of a health information coder.

The top three skills for a health information coder include medical terminology, ICD-10-CM and CPC. The most important skills for a health care administrator are patients, patient care, and health care services.

Health information coder vs health care administrator overview

	Health Information Coder	Health Care Administrator
Yearly salary	$54,353	$68,187
Hourly rate	$26.13	$32.78
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	112,238	161,949
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	12	12

What does a health information coder do?

A health information coder is responsible for translating the reports of physicians into beneficial medical codes. Health information coders make sure that all important information is appropriately coded for accuracy and consistency. The coders read the medical chart of a patient and analyze it and identify patient diagnoses and medical procedures. They categorize the diagnoses and the necessary procedures based on a national classification system. Also, they assign particular alphanumeric or numeric code to each procedure or diagnosis.

What does a health care administrator do?

A health care administrator is primarily in charge of overseeing the daily administrative operations of medical and health care facilities. They are responsible for setting objectives, establishing guidelines and employee schedules, maintaining accurate records, gathering and analyzing data, developing strategies to optimize operations, and coordinating with nurses, physicians, patients, and other health care experts. Moreover, as a health care administrator, it is essential to address and resolve issues and concerns, implement the facility's policies and regulations, and ensure that procedures comply with health care laws and standards.

Health information coder vs health care administrator salary

Health information coders and health care administrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Health Information Coder	Health Care Administrator
Average salary	$54,353	$68,187
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $78,000	Between $48,000 And $95,000
Highest paying City	-	Sacramento, CA
Highest paying state	-	Nevada
Best paying company	-	One Brooklyn Health
Best paying industry	-	Professional

Differences between health information coder and health care administrator education

There are a few differences between a health information coder and a health care administrator in terms of educational background:

	Health Information Coder	Health Care Administrator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 45%	Bachelor's Degree, 39%
Most common major	Health Care Administration	Nursing
Most common college	Georgetown University	University of Pennsylvania

Health information coder vs health care administrator demographics

Here are the differences between health information coders' and health care administrators' demographics:

	Health Information Coder	Health Care Administrator
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 12.0% Female, 88.0%	Male, 24.3% Female, 75.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 9.0% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%	Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 8.5% White, 60.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between health information coder and health care administrator duties and responsibilities

Health information coder example responsibilities.

Create documentation education classes to general surgery residents, increasing the leveling of reporting which lead to increase revenues.
Provide clerical services in registering patients and guests in ambulatory surgery facility.
Train staff on the HIPAA regulations.
Assist in instructing students for exam preparation for the CPC exam.
Maintain establish department policies and procedures, objectives, QA program, HIPAA compliance, environmental and infection control standards.
Code charts (Inpatient/Outpatient/Observation) according to EHR records to ensure all charges are accurately capture; hydration/infusion/EM levels & procedures.

Health care administrator example responsibilities.

Research and resolve recipients complaints relate to Medicaid service limitations, accessibility of MediPass manage services and provider treatment of recipients.
Interview prospective adopters and communicate the pet's needs.
Design training for EMR implementation for staff and medical providers.
Oversee pet care technician staff and report issues to management.
Utilize electronic medical records (EMR) technology for military members.
Supervise the maintenance and safeguarding of medical records and compliance with HIPAA regulations.

Health information coder vs health care administrator skills

Common health information coder skills

Medical Terminology, 11%
ICD-10-CM, 9%
CPC, 9%
Patients, 7%
Quality Standards, 6%
AHIMA, 6%

Common health care administrator skills

Patients, 26%
Patient Care, 9%
Health Care Services, 6%
Home Health, 6%
Mental Health, 6%
Vital Signs, 4%

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Health Information Coder vs Health Care Administrator

Updated January 8, 2025

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