The state of Louisiana, due to its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, has seen some recovery from the financial crisis from oil and gas refining and export. Many of the state’s jobs have come from this sector. Yet as the country and world become more energy independent, moving to cleaner fuels and more green energy such as wind and solar, this industry is poised to plateau. Health care, on the other hand, has a great deal of growth yet to be realized. Moreover, health care does not see the type of instability in prices and growth that oil and gas does. Health care is steady, providing job stability for its workers.
According to the US News & World Report, the state of Louisiana, as well as the region, expects to see significant growth in the health care sector as a good number of companies are planning new facilities such as hospitals and research centers in the area. Medical billers and coders will be required to keep this infrastructure moving over the coming years, providing job growth and security to the state’s residents. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a 20% growth in the medical billing and coding industry in the southeast United States through 2020.
Salaries & Job Growth
While salaries can vary widely depending on where the job is located, they are relatively higher than the state’s average, and expected to grow. Graduates with AAPC certification in the field can expect to earn even more.
A chart listing the top cities and their corresponding salaries in the medical billing and coding field for the state of Louisiana is below: