How to Become A Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Minnesota

Minnesota employs approximately 3,150 medical billing and coding specialists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $61,530 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 Minnesota, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

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

How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in Minnesota? Minnesota 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 Minnesota? 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 Minnesota? The median annual wage for medical billing and coding specialists in Minnesota is $61,530 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,120 and experienced professionals can earn $83,020 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 (Minnesota): $61,530 per year 1

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Certification Options in Minnesota

Minnesota 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 Minnesota for details on certification preparation courses.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota

Medical Records Specialists Wages by Metro Area in Minnesota

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington1,840$61,830$65,170$48,370$97,840
Sioux Falls430$51,610$55,010$33,900$80,080
Duluth180$51,820$56,750$46,540$70,040
Fargo140$46,280$53,810$39,580$79,750
St. Cloud80$60,490$67,220$46,450$98,240
Grand Forks80$45,860$52,060$39,250$82,500
La Crosse-Onalaska70$64,590$67,760$47,430$101,060
Mankato50$53,040$60,800$48,220$98,430

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 Minnesota

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual Wage
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington1,840$61,830
Duluth180$51,820
St. Cloud80$60,490
Mankato50$53,040

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for medical billing and coding specialists in Minnesota? Minnesota currently employs approximately 3,150 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 Minnesota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Minnesota.

How much do medical billing and coding specialists earn in Minnesota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical billing and coding specialists in Minnesota is $61,530, which is $11,280 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)