Medical Billing and Coding Programs in Arizona

Arizona is one of the fastest-growing states in the country, and its healthcare sector is expanding to keep pace. The state added over 800,000 residents between 2010 and 2023 (U.S. Census Bureau), and Phoenix has become the fifth-largest city in the United States. This growth translates directly into more hospitals, clinics, urgent care centers, and specialty practices, all of which need medical billing and coding professionals.

Banner Health, headquartered in Phoenix, operates 33 hospitals across six states and is one of the largest nonprofit health systems in the country. Other major Arizona employers include HonorHealth, Dignity Health (now CommonSpirit Health), Valleywise Health, and the Banner University Medical Center in Tucson. The state's VA healthcare system, tribal health facilities serving Arizona's 22 federally recognized tribes, and a growing network of outpatient clinics add further demand.

Arizona doesn't require state licensure for medical billers or coders, but employers universally expect professional certification. For more on the field, see What Is Medical Billing and Coding?

Arizona offers two IPEDS-reported medical billing and coding programs, providing both affordable public and private options. Pima Community College in Tucson charges approximately $2,208 per year, making it one of the most affordable training options in the Southwest. Bryan University in Tempe is a private for-profit institution at approximately $12,143 per year.

Arizona residents also have access to nationally accredited online programs. Ultimate Medical Academy (the largest MBC program by completions), Penn Foster ($1,049-$1,869, self-paced), Western Governors University ($7,710/year), and Purdue University Global ($10,080/year) all prepare you for the same certification exams. When evaluating programs, confirm AAPC approval or CAHIIM accreditation and verify that the curriculum covers all three major code sets. See How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder for a step-by-step guide.

Arizona has no state-level licensing requirement for medical billing and coding. Certification is voluntary but functionally required by employers. The CPC ($425-$499) from AAPC is the industry standard for outpatient and physician-office coding. The CCA ($199-$299) from AHIMA requires only a high school diploma. The CBCS (~$117) from NHA is the most affordable option.

AAPC data shows certified coders average $62,689 per year, about $7,000 more than uncertified workers. Professionals with three or more certifications average $84,414. See our certification comparison for complete details.

Medical billing and coding professionals in Arizona earn an average of $64,138 per year, or approximately $30.84 per hour (AAPC, 2024). That's roughly $13,900 above the national BLS median of $50,250, a 27.6% premium driven by Arizona's growing healthcare sector and competitive labor market.

The Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler metropolitan area offers the highest concentration of medical coding jobs in the state, followed by Tucson. Coders working for large hospital systems like Banner Health generally earn more than those in small independent practices, particularly for inpatient and specialty coding. The BLS projects 7% employment growth for medical records specialists from 2024 to 2034, and Arizona's population growth rate suggests the state will likely outpace the national average. For detailed salary information, see our Salary Guide.

Arizona's healthcare industry provides a wide range of employment options. Banner Health alone operates multiple hospitals and hundreds of clinics across the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas. HonorHealth, Dignity Health (CommonSpirit), Valleywise Health, and Tucson Medical Center are also major employers. The state's retirement communities in Scottsdale, Sun City, and Green Valley create concentrated demand for healthcare services and the coders who support them.

Remote work adds further options. About 65.7% of medical coders work from home full time (AAPC, 2024), and Arizona's Mountain time zone (no daylight saving) is convenient for both West Coast and Central time employers. National companies like Optum, Datavant, and The Coding Network hire remote coders from Arizona. For more, see our remote jobs guide.