Medical Billing and Coding Programs in Oregon

Oregon's healthcare industry is concentrated in the Portland metro area but extends across the state through regional hospital networks and rural health clinics. If you're considering this career here, you'll earn an average of $68,372 per year, about 36% above the national BLS median of $50,250 (AAPC 2023 Salary Survey). That places Oregon among the higher-paying states in the West.

OHSU (Oregon Health & Science University) in Portland is the state's only academic medical center and Level I trauma center. Providence Health & Services operates hospitals and clinics statewide and is the state's largest private employer. Legacy Health, Kaiser Permanente Northwest, PeaceHealth, and Salem Health are also significant employers of medical records specialists.

While Oregon doesn't have dedicated campus-based MBC programs listed in IPEDS, the state's tech-forward culture and strong broadband infrastructure make it well-suited for online training. With 64.8% of medical coders working remotely (AAPC, 2025), you can train and work entirely online. For background, see our guide to medical billing and coding.

Oregon doesn't currently have dedicated campus-based MBC programs listed in IPEDS. However, employers treat online credentials identically to campus-based ones. You may qualify for workforce training funding through WorkSource Oregon, and WIOA funding may be available for eligible individuals. See our online programs guide for a detailed comparison.

Certification is the primary credential Oregon employers evaluate when hiring. No state license is required. Here are your three main entry-level options:

CPC (Certified Professional Coder) from AAPC: The most widely held coding credential nationally. 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). AAPC has local chapters in Portland, Salem, and Eugene.

CCA (Certified Coding Associate) from AHIMA: An entry-level credential valued in hospital and HIM settings. The exam is 105 questions over 2 hours, costing $199 for members or $299 for non-members. Particularly relevant if you're targeting roles at OHSU or Providence hospitals.

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 comparisons, see our certification comparison guide.

At $68,372/yr ($32.87/hr), Oregon is one of the higher-paying states for medical billing and coding (AAPC 2023 Salary Survey). The Portland metro, where healthcare employment is most concentrated, drives much of this premium. Oregon also has no state sales tax, which slightly increases the effective value of your earnings, though income taxes are above average.

Outside Portland, cities like Salem, Eugene, Bend, and Medford offer somewhat lower salaries but significantly lower living costs, especially housing. Nationally, professionals with 3+ credentials average $81,227/yr (AAPC 2025). For a full salary breakdown, visit our salary guide.

Key employers include Providence Health & Services (the state's largest private employer with operations statewide), OHSU (Portland), Legacy Health (Portland), Kaiser Permanente Northwest, PeaceHealth (Lane County and southern Oregon), Salem Health, and the Portland VA Health Care System. Smaller rural hospitals and clinics across eastern and southern Oregon add further demand.

Advancement paths include specialization in risk adjustment, auditing, or compliance, plus earning advanced credentials (CCS, RHIT, RHIA). Oregon's proximity to Washington state's healthcare market also provides cross-border remote opportunities. See our step-by-step career guide for more.