Medical Billing and Coding Programs in Maine

Maine's healthcare system serves a population of approximately 1.4 million spread across one of the most geographically rural states in the eastern United States. MaineHealth, which includes Maine Medical Center in Portland, is the state's largest health system and one of the largest employers in the state overall. Northern Light Health, formerly Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, operates hospitals across central, northern, and eastern Maine.

Central Maine Healthcare (Lewiston-Auburn), Mid Coast-Parkview Health (Brunswick), and Pen Bay Medical Center (Rockport) round out the major hospital operators. Maine also has a network of federally qualified health centers serving rural and underserved communities. Most importantly, Maine has the oldest median age of any U.S. state, which drives high healthcare utilization rates and sustained demand for medical billing and coding professionals.

Maine has one in-state program in the national databases, and it's notably affordable. Central Maine Community College in Auburn offers medical billing and coding programs at approximately $2,880 per year for in-state students. Online coursework is available. At under $3,000 per year, this is one of the most affordable entry points for MBC training in the country.

Other Maine community colleges, including Southern Maine Community College (South Portland), Kennebec Valley Community College (Fairfield), and Eastern Maine Community College (Bangor), may offer related health information technology coursework. Maine residents also have access to nationally accredited online programs: Ultimate Medical Academy, Western Governors University ($7,710/yr), Penn Foster ($1,049 to $1,869), and Purdue University Global ($10,080/yr). For more details, see our online programs guide.

Maine doesn't require a state license to work as a medical biller or coder. Employers rely on nationally recognized certifications. 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 commonly requested credential in Maine job postings. MaineHealth and Northern Light Health both list CPC or CCS as preferred qualifications for coding positions. AAPC has a local chapter in Maine that provides networking and continuing education opportunities. For a full certification comparison, check our guide.

Medical billing and coding professionals in Maine earn an average of $68,468 per year, or approximately $32.92 per hour (AAPC 2023 Salary Survey). That's roughly 36% above the national BLS median of $50,250, making Maine one of the higher-paying states for this occupation.

Maine's cost of living is moderate by New England standards. While housing and living expenses are higher than the national average, they're well below neighboring Massachusetts and Connecticut. Entry-level coders in Maine typically start in the $46,000 to $54,000 range, while certified professionals with 5+ years of experience can earn $65,000 to $80,000. For full salary data, see our salary guide.

Maine's major healthcare employers include MaineHealth (Portland, the state's largest system with 12 hospitals), Northern Light Health (Brewer, 10 hospitals), Central Maine Healthcare (Lewiston-Auburn), and MaineGeneral Health (Augusta). The Portland-South Portland metro area is the primary job market, home to Maine Medical Center (the state's largest hospital) and a concentration of physician practices and outpatient facilities.

Remote work is a growing factor in Maine's coding market. With approximately 64.8% of medical records specialists working remotely (AAPC 2025), Maine-based coders in rural areas can access positions with employers across the country. The BLS projects 7% growth for medical records specialists from 2024 to 2034, and Maine's aging population will continue to drive high healthcare utilization and sustained demand.