For those with a keen eye for detail and a passion for the inner workings of the healthcare system, a career as a Credentialing Coordinator is a stable and rewarding path. This role is the critical backbone of any medical facility, ensuring that all physicians and healthcare providers are properly licensed, certified, and approved to provide patient care.
When we examine this role within a major national organization like Surgery Partners, the career potential becomes even more significant. So, what can you expect to earn? A Credentialing Coordinator can anticipate a national average salary in the range of $49,000 to $53,000 per year, with top earners and senior specialists commanding salaries well over $65,000.
This article will break down the salary expectations for a Credentialing Coordinator, the factors that influence your pay, and the promising future of this vital healthcare profession.
What Does a Credentialing Coordinator Do?
Before we dive into the numbers, it’s essential to understand the role. A Credentialing Coordinator is a healthcare administrator who acts as a gatekeeper for patient safety and organizational compliance. They are responsible for the meticulous process of verifying a healthcare provider's qualifications.
At a large ambulatory surgery center network like Surgery Partners, this role is amplified. A coordinator is not just managing a few physicians; they are likely handling the complex credentialing and payer enrollment processes for dozens, if not hundreds, of surgeons, anesthesiologists, and other providers across multiple facilities and states.
Key responsibilities include:
- Verifying Credentials: Collecting and confirming a provider’s education, training, residency, licenses, certifications (like board certification), and malpractice history.
- Payer Enrollment: Managing the entire process of enrolling providers with insurance networks, including Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payers, so the facility can receive reimbursement for services.
- Maintaining Databases: Keeping all provider information current in a credentialing database and ensuring expirables (like licenses or DEA certificates) are renewed on time.
- Ensuring Compliance: Adhering to strict standards set by accrediting bodies like The Joint Commission, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), and other state and federal regulations.
- Liaison Role: Communicating between providers, insurance companies, and internal management to resolve any credentialing issues.
Average Credentialing Coordinator Salary
Salary data shows a consistent and promising picture for professionals in this field. According to analyses from leading salary aggregators, the financial outlook is solid.
- National Average: Data from Salary.com, Payscale, and Glassdoor consistently places the average salary for a Credentialing Coordinator in the United States between $49,000 and $53,000 per year.
- Typical Salary Range: Most Credentialing Coordinators can expect to earn within a range of $44,000 to $65,000. The lower end of this range typically represents entry-level positions, while the higher end is for experienced professionals with specialized skills or leadership responsibilities.
- Surgery Partners Specifics: Publicly reported salary data on Glassdoor for Credentialing Coordinators at Surgery Partners aligns directly with these national averages, with most reported salaries falling within the $45,000 to $60,000 range.
These figures represent a strong baseline, but your individual earning potential is heavily influenced by several key factors.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Not all Credentialing Coordinator salaries are created equal. Your unique background, skills, and work environment will play a significant role in determining your compensation.
Level of Education
While a bachelor's degree is not always a strict requirement, it can significantly impact your starting salary and long-term career trajectory.
- Associate's Degree: Many coordinators enter the field with an Associate's Degree in Health Information Management or a related field.
- Bachelor's Degree: A Bachelor's Degree in Healthcare Administration, Business, or a similar field can provide a competitive edge, leading to higher starting pay and a faster path to management roles.
- Certifications: This is arguably more important than a specific degree. Earning a certification from the National Association Medical Staff Services (NAMSS) is the gold standard.
- CPCS (Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist): This certification demonstrates core competency and can lead to an immediate salary increase.
- CPMSM (Certified Professional Medical Services Management): This is a more advanced, management-level certification for those in leadership roles.
### Years of Experience
Experience is one of the most direct drivers of salary growth in this profession.
- Entry-Level (0-2 years): Professionals new to the field typically earn at the lower end of the spectrum, often in the $44,000 to $48,000 range as they learn the complexities of verification and payer enrollment.
- Mid-Career (3-8 years): With a solid foundation of experience, coordinators can expect to earn the national average and above, usually in the $50,000 to $58,000 range. They can handle more complex provider files and may begin to specialize.
- Senior/Lead (8+ years): Highly experienced coordinators, especially those with leadership responsibilities or specialized expertise, can command salaries of $60,000 to $65,000+. These roles often involve managing a team, overseeing credentialing for an entire hospital system, or handling complex multi-state networks like Surgery Partners.
### Geographic Location
Where you work matters. Salaries are adjusted based on the local cost of living and demand for healthcare professionals. A Credentialing Coordinator in a major metropolitan area with a high cost of living will almost always earn more than one in a rural community. For example, expect salaries in cities like San Francisco, New York City, and Boston to be 15-25% higher than the national average, while salaries in lower-cost states may be slightly below the average.
### Company Type
The type of organization you work for directly impacts compensation and benefits.
- Large Hospital Systems & Surgical Networks (e.g., Surgery Partners): These organizations often offer the most competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages due to their scale and the complexity of their credentialing needs. The work can be high-volume and demanding, but the compensation reflects this.
- Small Private Practices: A coordinator at a small, single-specialty clinic may have a more relaxed workload but will typically earn less than their counterparts in larger systems.
- Credentials Verification Organizations (CVOs): These third-party companies specialize in providing credentialing services to other healthcare facilities. As this is their core business, they often offer competitive pay to attract top talent.
### Area of Specialization
All credentialing is detail-oriented, but certain areas require a higher level of expertise and are compensated accordingly. Working at Surgery Partners, for example, inherently means you specialize in credentialing surgical providers, which is a valuable niche. Other specializations that can boost earning potential include:
- Managed Care Contracting: Expertise in negotiating and managing contracts with insurance payers.
- Telemedicine Credentialing: Navigating the complex, state-by-state regulations for remote providers.
- Multi-State Licensing and Credentialing: Managing providers who practice across several states, a common scenario in large networks.
Job Outlook
The future for Credentialing Coordinators is bright and secure. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars—the broader category that includes this role—is expected to grow by 8% from 2022 to 2032. This is "much faster than the average for all occupations."
This robust growth is driven by several factors: an aging population requiring more healthcare services, increasingly complex insurance and government regulations, and a heightened focus on quality control and patient safety. Simply put, the need for meticulous, professional gatekeepers is only growing.
Conclusion
A career as a Credentialing Coordinator, particularly within a dynamic organization like Surgery Partners, offers a clear path to a stable and financially rewarding future. While the national average salary provides a solid benchmark in the low $50,000s, your earning potential is truly in your hands.
By pursuing higher education and professional certifications, gaining years of valuable experience, and specializing in high-demand areas, you can significantly increase your compensation and advance into leadership roles. For individuals who are organized, methodical, and dedicated to upholding the highest standards in healthcare, this career is an excellent choice for long-term success.