Medical Billing and Coding Certification Comparison

The right certification depends on your career goals, budget, and current experience level. Here are the clearest paths:

You're new and want the most affordable option: Start with the CBCS (~$117) or the CCA ($199-$299). Both work as solid entry points. The CBCS is cheaper and covers billing, while the CCA provides broader coding knowledge across inpatient and outpatient settings.

You want to work in a physician office or outpatient clinic: The CPC is the most recognized credential for these settings. It costs more ($425 plus $222/year membership) but carries the most weight with outpatient employers.

You want to work in a hospital: Start with the CCA and advance to the CCS after gaining one year of coding experience. The CCS is the gold standard for hospital coding positions and DRG-based reimbursement work.

You work primarily in billing, not coding: The CPB is designed for billing professionals. It validates revenue cycle management skills that coding certifications don't cover in depth.

You want maximum versatility: Earn the CPC and CPB together for full coding-and-billing coverage in outpatient settings, or the CCA plus CCS for the strongest hospital combination.

You just graduated from a training program: Check whether your program includes a certification exam. Many NHA-approved programs bundle the CBCS exam in tuition. If not, choose based on your target work setting.

Your certification directly affects what you'll earn. According to the AAPC 2025 Salary Survey, here's how credentials stack up:

Non-certified medical billing and coding professionals average $55,721/year. Those with one certification jump to an average of $62,689. Two certifications push the average to $71,130, and three or more credentials reach $81,227.

Among specific credentials, the CPC carries a median salary of $58,895, while the CPB comes in at $56,981. The CCS typically commands the highest individual-credential salaries because it qualifies holders for advanced hospital coding, auditing, and CDI positions.

The BLS reports a broader median of $50,250/year for all medical records specialists (SOC 29-2072), which includes both certified and uncertified workers. The gap between BLS and AAPC figures highlights the measurable financial benefit of getting certified.

Employer preferences vary by setting, and knowing which certification each type of employer values can save you time and money.

Physician offices and outpatient clinics: The CPC is the most frequently requested credential. Some postings accept the CCA or CBCS for entry-level positions.

Hospitals and health systems: The CCS is preferred for inpatient coding. The CCA is accepted for entry-level hospital coding. Some hospitals also accept the CPC for outpatient facility coding.

Billing companies and revenue cycle firms: The CPB or CPC for billing roles, CBCS for entry-level positions. Many billing companies value practical experience alongside any recognized credential.

Remote coding positions: CPC or CCS are most commonly required, depending on outpatient vs. inpatient records. Remote employers typically require at least 2 years of experience plus a recognized credential.

Training programs and schools: The CBCS is common because many programs are NHA-approved and bundle the exam. Graduates often earn the CPC or CCA later for career advancement.

Regardless of which credential you start with, gaining practical experience matters most for career growth. Employers value certified professionals who can demonstrate accurate, efficient work on real medical records. See our how to become a medical coder guide for a complete roadmap.