Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Portland, OR: $36,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Portland, OR earns a median $36,729/year (≈ $17.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Portland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.4), that paycheck buys what $34,840 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.6% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Portland, Oregon, the projected median annual salary for a medical billing and coding specialist in 2026 is $36,729, which is significantly higher than the national median of $30,349. This local salary has a range from $28,622 at the lower end (P10) up to $50,734 for those at the top of the pay scale (P90). These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the trends in a job market shaped by the increased acceptance of remote work. Such flexibility has broadened the geographic salary landscape, allowing for competitive compensation in Portland’s growing sector for medical coding, particularly in areas like risk adjustment and inpatient care coding.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,622 | $13.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29,987 | $14.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,729 | $17.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,073 | $21.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,734 | $24.39 |
Median Salary Position
21.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portland
In Portland, OR, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,112 (2026 est.). At $36,729, the local median is 21.02% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portland Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Portland median: $36,729/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $33,820 | +8.60% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +21.02% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Portland, OR earn a median of $36,729 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.02% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 8.60% above the Oregon state average of $33,820.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portland has a cost of living 5.42% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portland, OR has a cost-of-living index of 105.421 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $36,729 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $34,840 — a 5.14% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$52,630
2025 BLS Actual
$35,896
2026 Current Est.
$36,729
2021–2027 Growth
+-28.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Portland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $52,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,896 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,581 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portland metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -31.8% from $52,630 (2021) to $35,896 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,581 by 2027 — a total increase of $-15,049 (-28.59%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.32% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $28,622 – $29,987 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $29,987 – $36,729 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,729 – $45,073 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,073 – $50,734 |
MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in Portland
Employing around 1,340 medical billing and coding specialists, Portland's job market demonstrates robust demand for this occupation despite the cost of living index being slightly above the national average at 105.421. This elevated cost of living directly impacts take-home pay and purchasing power, making it crucial for professionals to seek out top-paying employers. Organizations including physician group practice coding offices, hospital inpatient coding departments, and third-party coding companies often offer higher salaries. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors such as specialty certifications, credential stacking, productivity-based bonuses, and the choice between remote and in-office work environments. For those aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing additional certifications from AAPC or AHIMA, especially in high-demand areas like risk adjustment, can lead to enhanced opportunities in Portland's competitive market for medical billing and coding specialists.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Portland, OR in 2026?
Is Portland, OR a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?
Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Portland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in Portland?
How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in Portland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $35,896 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Portland metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical billing and coding specialists (SOC 29-2072).
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