Licensed Vocational Nurse vs Medical Biller and Coder

By Jessa GuzonUpdated
Licensed Vocational Nurse vs Medical Biller and Coder

See if you qualify for Medical Billing and Coding programs

Answer a few questions in 2 minutes. Free, no commitment.

Start

Key Points:

  • Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) provide basic patient care; Medical Billers and Coders handle insurance claims and medical coding.
  • LVNs typically earn a higher median salary than Medical Billers and Coders.
  • Both professions have good job prospects, but the demand for LVNs is generally higher.
  • LVNs require in-person training and licensing, while Medical Billers and Coders can often complete their training online.
  • LVN training is typically more expensive and takes longer than Medical Biller and Coder training.

In the field of healthcare, there are a multitude of career paths to choose from. Two popular vocational training options are becoming a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) or a medical biller and coder. Both of these careers offer unique opportunities and challenges, and it can be difficult to determine which path is the right one for you. In this blog post, we will explore the roles and responsibilities of each profession, as well as the differences between them. We will also discuss the education and training required for each career, the job outlook, and the salary potential. By the end of this blog post, you should have a better understanding of whether becoming an LVN or a medical biller and coder is the right choice for you.

Licensed Vocational Nurse vs Medical Biller and Coder: Career Outlook and Salary

Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN):

  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is projected to grow 9 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
  • The median annual wage for licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $47,480 in May 2020, according to the BLS.

Medical Biller and Coder:

  • The BLS does not provide specific data for medical billers and coders. However, they project that employment of medical records and health information technicians, which includes medical billers and coders, is projected to grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.
  • The median annual wage for medical records and health information technicians was $44,090 in May 2020, according to the BLS.

Final Thoughts

Choosing a career in the healthcare field requires careful consideration of your interests, skills, and goals. Both becoming a licensed vocational nurse and a medical biller and coder offer unique opportunities to contribute to the healthcare industry. If you enjoy direct patient care and have a passion for helping others, becoming an LVN may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you have strong organizational and analytical skills and enjoy working with medical codes and billing processes, a career as a medical biller and coder may be a better fit. Ultimately, the decision is up to you and what you value most in a healthcare career.

Dreambound extends its programs to diverse locations. Delve deeper into information about these two vocations by visiting:

Jessa Guzon
Written by
Jessa Guzon

Jessa is part of the Affiliate Partnerships team at Dreambound, where she manages relationships with job board and affiliate partners across healthcare, skilled trades, and other workforce pathways. She works with school program and enrollment data each week to fine-tune campaigns and reach the right audiences. Her Business Administration degree with a focus on Entrepreneurial Marketing, plus earlier customer service work, means she has talked directly with students exploring training programs and weighing career options.

Share this post:
Licensed Vocational Nurse vs Medical Biller and Coder