Entry-Level Medical Billing Jobs: How to Land Your First Role (2026)
Medical billing is one of the more accessible entry points into healthcare administration - no nursing degree, no clinical background required. But "entry-level" in this field usually means a specific set of feeder job titles and a realistic path, not a straight line into a fully remote role on day one. Here's what that path actually looks like.
What counts as an entry-level role
Most people don't start with the title "Medical Billing Specialist." They start in adjacent roles that build the same skills:
- Medical Billing Assistant
- Claims Processor / Biller
- Medical Billing Clerk
- Medical Front Office / Medical Receptionist
These titles show up often in "no experience required" postings, and they teach the exact workflows - insurance verification, claims software, payer communication - that specialist roles expect you to already know. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says billing and posting clerks typically need only a high school diploma and no prior work experience, and learn the job through on-the-job training. Our medical claims processor job description covers the claims side in detail.
Typical entry-level pay
Entry-level pay typically starts toward the lower end of the range. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the lowest-paid 10 percent of financial clerks, the group that includes billing and posting clerks, earned less than $37,440 in May 2025, while the median for billing and posting clerks was $48,500. Entry-level coder roles are in a similar range: the lowest-paid 10 percent of medical records specialists earned less than $37,000. Pay tends to rise with experience and certification - see our medical biller salary guide for more detail.
Do you need a certification to start?
Not always, but employers may prefer certified candidates. A certification like the CBCS (Certified Billing and Coding Specialist) from NHA is designed to assess the competencies of entry-level billing and coding specialists. To sit for the exam, you need to complete a training program or have relevant work experience, and community colleges and technical schools offer training programs. Certification signals to an employer that you already know the code sets and claims process, which can shorten the on-the-job training they'd otherwise need to provide. Our medical biller requirements guide covers the full list of credentials.
The honest truth about remote entry-level roles
Fully remote positions often ask for one to two years of experience, because employers want billers who already know core workflows before working unsupervised. That doesn't mean remote is out of reach - it means the realistic path for most people is: build initial experience in an on-site or hybrid entry-level role first, then move remote once you have that track record. Employers are often more willing to let an experienced biller work remotely than to train a total beginner remotely from day one.
How to actually get hired with no experience
- Target the right titles. Search "billing assistant" and "claims processor," not just "medical billing specialist."
- Get a foundational certification. CBCS or a similar entry-level credential can do more for your application than a generic resume line. Not sure whether billing or coding fits you better? See medical billing vs. medical coding.
- Network inside the field. AAPC local chapters and AHIMA's state component associations host networking events where you can meet people already working in the field.
- Apply to smaller practices. Solo and small-group practices may be more willing to train than large hospital systems.
Where to find remote medical billing roles
Med Billing Talent lists current remote, US-based medical billing openings, screened to exclude offshore and outsourced postings - a good place to track what experienced remote roles actually require once you're ready to make that move. Browse Medical Billing Specialist jobs →
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Sources: BLS Financial Clerks, BLS Medical Records Specialists, NHA CBCS, AAPC Local Chapters, AHIMA Component Associations