Medical Billing and Coding Programs in Texas

Texas has one of the largest healthcare sectors in the United States, driven by a population of more than 30 million and major medical centers in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, and Austin. The Texas Medical Center in Houston is the world's largest medical complex. The state is also home to dozens of hospital systems, insurance companies, and revenue cycle management firms.

Texas residents have access to both in-state campus programs and online options. Community colleges across the state offer affordable certificate and associate degree programs, while national online providers give flexibility to students outside major metro areas. For a broader comparison, see our online programs guide.

Texas has several IPEDS-listed schools offering medical billing and coding training, ranging from affordable community colleges to a four-year university. National online providers like Ultimate Medical Academy, WGU ($7,710/yr), Penn Foster (from $1,049), and Purdue University Global ($10,080/yr) also accept Texas students. See our online programs guide for a full comparison.

Texas doesn't require state licensure for medical billers and coders. Professional certification is the hiring standard. The three main entry-level credentials are the CPC from AAPC ($425, the most widely recognized), the CCA from AHIMA ($199-$299), and the CBCS from NHA (~$117, the most affordable).

AAPC has an active Texas chapter network with local meetings in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and other cities. All three exams can be taken remotely or at Pearson VUE testing centers, which are widely available across Texas. See our certification comparison for detailed breakdowns.

Texas medical billing and coding professionals earn $67,458 per year on average, or roughly $32.43 per hour (AAPC 2023). Pay varies across the state: the Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth metros typically offer compensation at or above the state average thanks to their high concentrations of hospitals, specialty clinics, and insurance companies. Austin and San Antonio are also competitive markets.

Texas has no state income tax, which further increases take-home pay compared to most other states. Combined with certification premiums (3+ credentials average $81,227 nationally per AAPC 2025), Texas offers some of the strongest total compensation packages in the field. For full salary data, see our salary guide.

Texas has one of the deepest healthcare employment markets in the country. Major employers include HCA Healthcare (multiple hospitals statewide), Baylor Scott & White Health (the largest not-for-profit system in Texas, headquartered in Dallas), Memorial Hermann Health System (Houston), Texas Health Resources (Dallas-Fort Worth), and UT Southwestern Medical Center (Dallas).

The Texas Medical Center in Houston houses institutions including Houston Methodist, MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Texas Children's Hospital. San Antonio has large military medical facilities, including Brooke Army Medical Center. The state added more than 470,000 residents in 2023 alone (Census Bureau), driving healthcare demand above the national rate.