Medical Billing Salary

Milwaukie vs Portland: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Milwaukie, OR and Portland, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Milwaukie, OR
$31,095
$14.95/hr
Portland, OR
$36,729
$17.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukie, ORPortland, OR
Median Salary$31,095$36,729
Hourly Rate$14.95$17.66
Entry Level (P10)$24,164$28,622
25th Percentile$27,226$29,987
75th Percentile$38,695$45,073
Top Earner (P90)$46,833$50,734
Total Employed61,340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukie ($31,095) and Portland ($36,729) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.MilwaukiePortlandMedian Salary$31,095$36,729Entry Level (P10)$24,164$28,622Top Earner (P90)$46,833$50,734US Median $30,349

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Milwaukie.

The salary gap between Milwaukie and Portland is $5,634 (18.12%). Portland's median is +21.02% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukie spans $22,669,Portland spans $22,112. Milwaukie has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Milwaukie
P10 (Entry)$24,164
P25$27,226
Median$31,095
P75$38,695
P90 (Top)$46,833
Portland
P10 (Entry)$28,622
P25$29,987
Median$36,729
P75$45,073
P90 (Top)$50,734

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($34,840 effective) pays 14.96% more than Milwaukie ($30,307 effective).

Milwaukie
Nominal: $31,095
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $30,307
Portland
Nominal: $36,729
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $34,840

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukie if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($36,729/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,734)
  • Larger job market (1,340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $34,840)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Milwaukie grew -42.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -31.8% growth in Portland over the same period.

Milwaukie, OR

+-42.4%

$52,805 (2024) → $30,390 (2025)

Portland, OR

+-31.8%

$52,630 (2021) → $35,896 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Milwaukie or Portland?

Portland has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $36,729/year, compared to Milwaukie at $31,095/year — a difference of $5,634 (18.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukie and Portland?

Milwaukie medical billing and coding specialists earn $14.95/hr while Portland hygienists earn $17.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukie to Portland as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukie and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukie = $30,307, Portland = $34,840), job availability (6 vs 1,340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Milwaukie vs Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $24,164 in Milwaukie and $28,622 in Portland. The Portland area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

Written by Amina Patel, CPC

Career Analyst

Amina has 10 years of experience in medical billing. She specializes in outpatient coding for multi-specialty practices.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CPC, a licensed medical billing and coding specialist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov