Medical Billing and Coding Programs in Maryland

Maryland's healthcare market is among the strongest in the nation, driven by the Baltimore-Washington D.C. corridor. The state is home to Johns Hopkins Health System, one of the most prestigious academic medical centers in the world, along with the University of Maryland Medical System, MedStar Health, and Adventist HealthCare.

The federal government is a uniquely significant employer in Maryland. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) in Woodlawn, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and multiple VA facilities all hire medical records and coding specialists. Maryland also operates a distinctive all-payer rate-setting system through the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC), where all payers pay the same rates to Maryland hospitals, creating a unique coding environment tied directly to each hospital's approved rate structure.

Maryland offers two community college programs for medical billing and coding, both in the D.C. suburbs. Prince George's Community College in Largo offers programs at approximately $5,016 per year for in-county students, with online coursework available and easy access to the D.C. metro job market.

Montgomery College in Rockville has tuition of approximately $8,190 per year for in-county students. It's one of the largest community colleges in Maryland and sits immediately adjacent to Washington D.C. and Bethesda (home to NIH). Maryland residents also have access to online programs from 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.

Maryland 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.

Maryland's large hospital systems and federal employers often prefer or require specific credentials. Johns Hopkins and the University of Maryland Medical System typically list CPC or CCS in their coding job postings. Federal positions at NIH, CMS, and VA facilities may list AHIMA credentials (CCS, RHIT, RHIA) as preferred qualifications. For a full certification comparison, check our guide.

Medical billing and coding professionals in Maryland earn an average of $70,459 per year, or approximately $33.87 per hour (AAPC 2023 Salary Survey). That's roughly 40% above the national BLS median of $50,250, making Maryland one of the top-paying states for this occupation.

Maryland's cost of living is above the national average, particularly in the D.C. suburbs and parts of Baltimore County. However, the $70,459 average is high enough to provide solid purchasing power even in these areas. Coders in western Maryland, the Eastern Shore, or southern Maryland benefit from lower living costs. Entry-level coders typically start in the $48,000 to $56,000 range, while certified professionals with 5 to 10 years of experience can earn $68,000 to $85,000. For full salary data, see our salary guide.

Maryland offers one of the deepest job markets in the country for medical billing and coding professionals. Johns Hopkins Health System (Baltimore) is the flagship employer. The University of Maryland Medical System, MedStar Health, Adventist HealthCare, and LifeBridge Health are other major hospital-system employers. The federal government provides a uniquely large employment base: CMS in Woodlawn processes and oversees the nation's Medicare claims, NIH in Bethesda conducts clinical research requiring detailed coding, and VA medical centers in Baltimore and Perry Point hire under federal GS pay scales.

Revenue cycle management firms and health insurance companies also maintain a significant presence in the Baltimore-D.C. corridor. Remote work adds another dimension: with approximately 64.8% of medical records specialists working remotely (AAPC 2025), Maryland residents can also access out-of-state positions. The BLS projects 7% growth for medical records specialists from 2024 to 2034.