Medical Billing and Coding Programs in Hawaii

Hawaii's healthcare system is shaped by its island geography and a population of approximately 1.4 million spread across multiple islands. The state's major healthcare employers include The Queen's Health System (the largest private hospital system), Hawaii Pacific Health (operating Kapiolani, Pali Momi, Straub, and Wilcox medical centers), and Tripler Army Medical Center, one of the largest military hospitals in the Pacific.

Hawaii's Prepaid Health Care Act, enacted in 1974, requires employers to provide health insurance to employees working 20 or more hours per week. That long-standing mandate gives the state one of the highest rates of employer-sponsored coverage in the nation, which supports steady demand for billing and coding professionals who process the resulting claims volume.

The geographic isolation of individual islands creates unique staffing challenges. Smaller facilities on Maui, the Big Island, Kauai, and Molokai often struggle to recruit specialized administrative staff locally. Remote coding positions have become a common solution, allowing certified coders on any island to support healthcare providers statewide.

Hawaii has limited in-state options for medical billing and coding training. Hawaii Medical College in Honolulu is the primary campus-based provider, offering a medical billing and coding program with tuition of approximately $25,387. The school provides both on-campus instruction and online coursework, giving you flexibility if you're working while studying.

Given the limited local options, many Hawaii residents pursue nationally accredited online programs. Several established providers accept Hawaii students: Ultimate Medical Academy (fully online, one of the largest MBC programs by enrollment), Western Governors University ($7,710/yr, competency-based and self-paced), Penn Foster ($1,049 to $1,869, self-paced career diploma), and Purdue University Global ($10,080/yr, structured online support).

When you're evaluating programs, confirm that the curriculum covers ICD-10-CM, CPT, HCPCS Level II, medical terminology, anatomy, and healthcare reimbursement methodology. Programs with a practicum or externship component give you hands-on coding practice that employers value. For more on choosing a program, see our online programs guide.

Hawaii doesn't require a state-specific license to work as a medical biller or coder. Instead, employers rely on nationally recognized certifications to verify your competency. The three most common entry-level credentials are the CPC (Certified Professional Coder) from AAPC, the CCA (Certified Coding Associate) from AHIMA, and the CBCS (Certified Billing and Coding Specialist) from NHA.

The CPC is the most widely requested certification in job postings across Hawaii's healthcare systems. It requires passing a 100-question, 4-hour exam with a score of 70% or higher. The CCA works well as an entry-level alternative, particularly if you plan to pursue AHIMA's advanced credentials (CCS, RHIT). The CBCS covers both billing and coding topics and is often bundled with NHA-approved training programs. For a detailed certification comparison, check our guide.

Medical billing and coding professionals in Hawaii earn an average of $65,440 per year, or approximately $31.46 per hour (AAPC 2023 Salary Survey). That's roughly 30% above the national BLS median of $50,250 for medical records specialists.

The elevated salary reflects Hawaii's high cost of living, as the state consistently ranks among the most expensive for housing, groceries, and transportation. While the raw salary figure is strong compared to the national median, your purchasing power is closer to what a coder earning $50,000 to $55,000 would experience on the mainland.

Certification and experience drive salary growth within the state. Entry-level coders typically start in the $48,000 to $55,000 range, while certified professionals with 5+ years of experience and specialized skills (risk adjustment, auditing, inpatient coding) can earn $70,000 to $80,000 or more. AAPC data shows that professionals holding three or more certifications average $81,227 nationally. For detailed national salary data, see our salary guide.

Hawaii's healthcare job market is concentrated in the Honolulu metropolitan area on Oahu, which accounts for the majority of hospitals, physician offices, and insurance operations. The Queen's Health System, Hawaii Pacific Health, and Kaiser Permanente Hawaii are among the largest employers of medical billing and coding professionals in the state.

The federal government is also a significant employer. Tripler Army Medical Center and Veterans Affairs facilities hire medical coders under federal pay scales, which often include competitive benefits and structured career advancement. Remote work has expanded options further: AAPC's 2025 data indicates that approximately 64.8% of medical records specialists work remotely. For Hawaii residents, that means you can work for mainland healthcare systems and revenue cycle management firms while living in the state.