Medical examiners employed in the United States generally earn salaries in the range from $29,315 to $256,270 a year according to the salary information provided by Payscale. The basic annual salary for this profession is typically in the range between $46,000 and $134,023.
These professionals’ salaries can vary considerably from industry to industry. For example, medical examiners working in the health insurance sector generally have salaries in the range from $28,816 to $51,521 a year, while those employed by insurance carriers typically report an annual pay in the range from $36,173 to $51,127 according to Payscale.
Other popular industries among medical examiners are medical insurance and third party auditing (TPA), health care, hospitals, medical offices, and third party administration services.
Forensic medical examiners typically earn between $44,880 and $67,320 a year, with the best paid professionals generally reporting an income in the range from $52,800 to $79,200 a year based on the salary data reported by CoronerSalary.net.
Average salary
The average salary for medical examiners working in the United States is $91,987 a year according to Payscale’s salary data, $42,000 according to the salary figures reported by Indeed, and $47,600 a year according to CoronerSalary.net. Based on the data from CoronerSalary.net, forensic medical examiners earn a median annual pay of $56,100.
Salary range
Medical examiners’ annual salary depends on a wide range of factors, including work experience. Examiners with 1 to 4 years of experience typically report earning an annual pay in the range from $26,223 to $50,337, and those with 5 to 9 years of experience usually make between $34,591 and $60,085 a year.
Professionals with 10 to 19 years of experience are typically paid between $34,963 and $89,396 annually, and those with 20 or more years of work experience under their belt generally earn an income in the range from $37,828 to $45,781 a year according to the salary figures reported by Payscale.
Women report earning salaries in the range from $26,223 to $54,564 a year, and men are typically paid between $38,281 and $53,920 annually.
Medical examiners generally earn an annual pay in the range from $38,080 to $57,120, with the best paid examiners typically reporting being paid between $44,800 and $67,200 a year based on the salary figures reported by CoronerSalary.net.
Starting salary
The average starting salary for medical examiners in their first year on the job is $39,200 a year according to the salary figures reported by CoronerSalary.net. Forensic medical examiners in their first year of practice are paid an average salary of $46,200 annually.
Medical examiners with less than a year of experience typically earn salaries in the range from $31,360 to $47,040 a year, and forensic medical examiners are generally paid a median starting salary in the range from $36,960 to $55,440 a year according to the data provided by CoronerSalary.net.
Benefits
Along with their basic annual salary and bonus earnings, medical examiners usually get a wide range of perks and benefits, and these can sometimes reflect their yearly pay.
Examiners who have 401(k) plans typically earn salaries in the range from $34,879 to $59,685 a year, those who have paid vacations and holidays generally make between $27,648 and $55,072 annually, and professionals who have life and disability insurance as part of their benefits package are usually paid between $32,966 and $55,849 a year.
Medical examiners who have paid sick leave typically make between $32,428 and $58,954 a year, and those who get reimbursement for professional training, education, tuition, or certification generally report earning salaries in the range from $34,500 to $52,608 a year according to Payscale’s salary data. Professionals who have a flexible work schedule are generally paid between $36,624 and $52,139 a year.
The most popular benefits and perks among medical examiners are 401(k) plans, paid vacations and holidays, life and disability insurance, paid sick leave, and casual dress and atmosphere at work.
Salary by state
Medical examiners’ annual salaries can vary significantly depending on geographical location, and be very different from state to state. For example, medical examiners based in California generally earn salaries in the range from $40,858 to $91,563 a year, those based in New York typically make between $34,971 and $45,750 a year, and professionals employed in Texas are usually paid an income in the range from $30,450 to $42,500 a year according to Payscale’s salary data.
Hourly rate
Medical examiners typically earn an hourly wage in the range from $12.03 to $22.01, with overtime rates in the range between $11.92 and $28.73 per hour according to Payscale’s salary figures.
The hourly pay depends on a wide range of factors, including professional experience. Medical examiners with 1 to 4 years of experience are generally paid between $11.61 and $18.22 per hour, and those with 5 to 9 years of experience typically make between $11.68 and $20 per hour. Professionals with 10 to 19 years of experience usually earn an hourly pay in the range from $12.64 to $24.66, and those with 20 or more years of professional experience report earning an hourly wage in the range between $14.48 and $24.47 according to the salary data reported by Payscale.
Medical examiners’ hourly rate can vary from state to state. For example, examiners employed in Massachusetts generally report an hourly pay in the range from $15 and $20.18, and professionals based in California typically earn between $11.96 and $24.24 per hour.
The hourly wage for medical examiners can also vary depending on the size of the company or organization that employs them. Medical examiners working for organizations that employ between 1 and 9 people typically make between $15.92 and $18.16 per hour, those working for companies that employ 10 to 49 people are usually paid between $14.79 and $19.82 per hour, and professionals employed by organizations with 50 to 199 employees report earning an hourly wage in the range from $12.08 to $27.81 according to Payscale’s salary figures.
Medical examiners working for organizations with 200 to 599 employees generally make between $11.71 and $22.51 per hour, and those working for organizations that employ between 600 and 1,999 people typically report earning an hourly pay in the range from $15.72 to $18.23 according to Payscale.
Area of specialty is another factor that can affect a medical examiner’s hourly wage. For example, examiners who specialize in medical coding typically earn between $9.98 and $18.74 per hour, and professionals who specialize in claim handling are generally paid between $11.79 and $17.80 per hour.
The hourly pay for these professionals also varies from industry to industry. For instance, medical examiners working in the health care sector generally make between $11.88 and $19.73 per hour, and those employed in the health insurance industry typically earn between $11.70 and $20.18 per hour based on Payscale’s salary data.
Medical examiners’ average hourly rate can also vary significantly depending on the type of employer. Examiners employed by companies usually earn between $11.94 and $21.88 per hour, those working for private practices and firms are paid between $14 and $18.96 per hour, and professionals employed by non-profit organizations generally make between $15.72 and $21.36 per hour. Medical examiners working for the state or local government are paid between $16.19 and $20.35 per hour, those employed by hospitals typically earn between $14.57 and $19.16 per hour, and professionals working for other organizations generally report earning an hourly pay in the range from $11.45 to $15.26 according to the salary figures reported by Payscale.
The salary data reported by CoronerSalary.net indicates that medical examiners typically earn between $17 and $26 per hour, with the best paid professionals making between $20 and $30 per hour. Forensic medical examiners, on the other hand, generally earn between $20 and $30 per hour, and the best paid examiners earn an hourly pay in the range from $24 and $35.
The hourly wage for medical examiners in their first year is typically in the range from $14 to $21, while forensic medical examiners who are just starting out generally make between $17 and $25 per hour according to the salary statistics reported by CoronerSalary.net.
Other income factors
Medical examiners’ annual pay can also vary depending on the size of the organization that employs them. For instance, examiners working for organizations that employ between 1 and 9 people typically report earning a salary in the range from $25,942 to $49,851 a year, while professionals working for organizations with 200 to 599 employees generally make between $37,004 and $53,259 according to the salary statistics provided by Payscale.
In terms of employer type, medical examiners employed by companies generally earn salaries in the range from $28,393 and $50,048 annually, and those working for other organizations typically report an income in the range from $39,839 to $44,494 a year.
Academic degree is another factor that can affect a medical examiner’s annual salary. Professionals with a bachelor’s degree generally earn between $41,922 and $53,593 annually, and those with an associate’s degree are typically paid between $35,234 and $45,000 a year according to Payscale’s salary figures.
Examiners who specialize in medical coding are generally paid between $24,161 and $89,396 a year. This is the most popular skill among medical examiners, along with claim handling, Medicaid claims, medical records, financial analysis, customer service, and electronic medical records (EMR). The most popular professional certifications among these professionals are Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Claims Adjuster License, Medical Billing and Coding Certificate, Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMM), and Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS).
The annual bonuses for these professionals also depend on a variety of factors. Medical examiners working for hospitals or the state or local government earn $12,500 a year on average in bonuses, and professionals with 1 to 4 years of experience on the job report earnings from profit sharing in the average amount of $12,300 a year. Medical examiners who have 401(k) plans as part of their benefits package typically earn around $4,500 a year in bonus money according to Payscale’s data.
Medical examiners employed by organizations with 1 to 9 employees get $12,500 on average in bonuses, and around $12,300 in contributions from profit sharing.
The average number of vacation weeks for medical examiners also varies depending on a number of factors, including years of professional experience. Examiners with 1 to 4 years of experience typically get about three weeks off per year. Professionals with 10 to 19 years of experience get 2.5 vacation weeks on average, and those with 20 or more years of experience get about two weeks off a year. Medical examiners employed by the state and local government get 3.5 weeks of vacation on average, and those working for companies get about 1.8 weeks off. Professionals working for organizations that employ between 1 and 9 people get 2.5 vacation weeks a year on average according to Payscale’s data.