Medical Billing and Coding Programs in Ohio

Ohio has one of the most developed healthcare industries in the Midwest, anchored by world-renowned institutions and large hospital networks. If you're considering medical billing and coding here, you'll find a market that pays $60,857 per year on average, about 21% above the national BLS median of $50,250 (AAPC 2023 Salary Survey). Combined with Ohio's below-average cost of living, that makes the state a favorable market for this career.

The Cleveland Clinic, consistently ranked among the top hospitals in the nation, is the state's largest private employer and a major hirer of medical records specialists. Other major systems include Ohio State Wexner Medical Center (Columbus), University Hospitals (Cleveland), OhioHealth (Columbus), ProMedica (Toledo), Kettering Health (Dayton), and UC Health (Cincinnati). These systems collectively operate hundreds of facilities across the state.

Ohio also benefits from four in-state programs with affordable tuition, all offering online delivery. For a broad overview of this career, see our guide to medical billing and coding.

Ohio has four in-state institutions offering MBC programs, all with online availability. Ohio's in-state community colleges offer competitive tuition, so compare carefully before selecting a national provider. For more detail, see our online programs guide.

Professional certification is effectively required at Ohio's major healthcare systems. You won't need a state license, but employers expect one of these three credentials:

CPC (Certified Professional Coder) from AAPC: The most widely recognized credential. It's 100 questions over 4 hours with a 70% passing threshold. Cost is $425 for one attempt or $499 for two, plus AAPC membership ($222/yr, $157 for students). Ohio has active AAPC chapters in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, and Akron.

CCA (Certified Coding Associate) from AHIMA: An entry-level credential well-suited for hospital settings. The exam is 105 questions over 2 hours, costing $199 for members or $299 for non-members. Given the Cleveland Clinic and OSU Wexner, the CCA is a great option for inpatient coding roles in Ohio.

CBCS (Certified Billing and Coding Specialist) from NHA: Covers both billing and coding with 100 scored questions plus 20 pretest questions at roughly $117. All three exams offer remote proctoring. For detailed information, see our certification comparison guide.

At $60,857/yr ($29.26/hr), Ohio's medical billing and coding salaries sit 21% above the national BLS median (AAPC 2023 Salary Survey). The Cleveland metro area, driven by the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals, tends to offer the highest wages. Columbus and Cincinnati also offer competitive pay, while smaller markets like Dayton, Toledo, and Akron provide slightly lower wages with correspondingly lower living costs.

Nationally, professionals with 3+ credentials average $81,227/yr (AAPC 2025). Ohio's affordable cost of living means that even moderate salary increases from additional certifications translate into meaningful improvements in quality of life. For a full breakdown, visit our salary guide.

Ohio's healthcare sector is among the largest in the Midwest. Key employers include the Cleveland Clinic, Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, University Hospitals, OhioHealth, ProMedica, Kettering Health, UC Health, Mercy Health, and Summa Health. Ohio also has a significant insurance industry presence, with Medical Mutual of Ohio and SummaCare providing additional employment.

Career advancement paths include coding specialization (risk adjustment, auditing, compliance), progression into HIM roles, and remote work with out-of-state employers. Ohio's central location and time zone make it convenient for remote positions serving employers across the Eastern and Central U.S. See our step-by-step career guide for more on professional development.