How to Become A Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Massachusetts

Massachusetts employs approximately 3,500 medical billing and coding specialists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $60,350 1. 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 Massachusetts, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

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

How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in Massachusetts? Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts? 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 Massachusetts? The median annual wage for medical billing and coding specialists in Massachusetts is $60,350 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $43,960 and experienced professionals can earn $81,620 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 (Massachusetts): $60,350 per year 1

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Certification Options in Massachusetts

Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts for details on certification preparation courses.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts

Medical Records Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Boston-Cambridge-Newton2,630$60,460$62,940$45,540$82,260
Providence-Warwick860$62,030$61,340$43,060$84,540
Worcester330$51,050$55,490$37,480$75,570
Springfield290$58,060$58,690$41,110$79,620
Pittsfield80$49,910$53,750$42,570$67,040
Barnstable Town60$58,720$61,490$44,050$82,860
Amherst Town-Northampton40$58,820$60,400$40,500$86,700

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 Massachusetts

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual Wage
Boston-Cambridge-Newton2,630$60,460
Worcester330$51,050
Springfield290$58,060
Pittsfield80$49,910
Barnstable Town60$58,720

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for medical billing and coding specialists in Massachusetts? Massachusetts currently employs approximately 3,500 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 Massachusetts? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Massachusetts.

How much do medical billing and coding specialists earn in Massachusetts compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical billing and coding specialists in Massachusetts is $60,350, which is $10,100 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)