How to Become A Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Alaska

Alaska employs approximately 1,070 medical billing and coding specialists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $61,090 1. The state’s concentration of medical billing and coding specialist jobs is 2.64x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, medical billing and coding specialist employment is projected to grow 7.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,200 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a medical billing and coding specialist in Alaska, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Alaska

How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in Alaska? Alaska does not require a state license for medical billing and coding specialists, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as CPC (Certified Professional Coder) and CCS (Certified Coding Specialist). Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Alaska? No state license is required, but certifications such as CPC (Certified Professional Coder) and CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) are expected by most employers.

What do medical billing and coding specialists earn in Alaska? The median annual wage for medical billing and coding specialists in Alaska is $61,090 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,390 and experienced professionals can earn $90,530 or more 1.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Alaska): $61,090 per year 1

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Certification Options in Alaska

Alaska does not require a state license to work as a medical billing and coding specialist. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for medical billing and coding specialists include:

  • CPC (Certified Professional Coder)
  • CCS (Certified Coding Specialist)

For more information, visit the AAPC - Medical Coding Certification 3. Contact training programs in Alaska for details on certification preparation courses.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

Medical Records Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Alaska

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), medical records specialists wages in Alaska vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Anchorage610$60,620$64,160$46,870$90,240
Fairbanks-College190$61,090$62,200$47,950$79,320
La Crosse-Onalaska70$64,590$67,760$47,430$101,060

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Medical billing and coding specialists in Alaska

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest medical billing and coding specialist employment within Alaska according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual Wage
Anchorage610$60,620
Fairbanks-College190$61,090

Explore More Trades in Alaska

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for medical billing and coding specialists in Alaska? Alaska currently employs approximately 1,070 medical billing and coding specialists 1. Nationally, medical billing and coding specialist employment is projected to grow 7.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Alaska? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Alaska.

How much do medical billing and coding specialists earn in Alaska compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical billing and coding specialists in Alaska is $61,090, which is $10,840 above the national median of $50,250 according to BLS data 1.

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. AAPC - Medical Coding Certification: https://www.aapc.com/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)