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The differences between health information coders and recording technicians 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 recording technician. Additionally, a health information coder has an average salary of $54,353, which is higher than the $34,620 average annual salary of a recording technician.
The top three skills for a health information coder include medical terminology, ICD-10-CM and CPC. The most important skills for a recording technician are customer service, data entry, and database systems.
| Health Information Coder | Recording Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $54,353 | $34,620 |
| Hourly rate | $26.13 | $16.64 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 112,238 | 25,621 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
A recording technician specializes in operating audio systems and equipment for various purposes such as recordings, broadcasts, and events. It is their responsibility to prepare equipment according to project or program requirements like microphones, audio lines, speakers, and amplifiers, ensuring everything is accounted for and is functioning efficiently. Aside from setting up equipment, they must also conduct regular maintenance checks and perform repairs as necessary. Moreover, as a recording technician, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Health information coders and recording technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Health Information Coder | Recording Technician | |
| Average salary | $54,353 | $34,620 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $78,000 | Between $26,000 And $45,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Santa Cruz, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | National Grid plc |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between a health information coder and a recording technician in terms of educational background:
| Health Information Coder | Recording Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 45% | Bachelor's Degree, 43% |
| Most common major | Health Care Administration | Business |
| Most common college | Georgetown University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between health information coders' and recording technicians' demographics:
| Health Information Coder | Recording Technician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 12.0% Female, 88.0% | Male, 30.4% Female, 69.6% |
| 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, 9.3% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 8.5% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |