Medical Billing Salary

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

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

Bangor, ME
$27,761
$13.34/hr
Portland, ME
$33,863
$16.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBangor, MEPortland, ME
Median Salary$27,761$33,863
Hourly Rate$13.34$16.28
Entry Level (P10)$23,637$26,089
25th Percentile$26,385$27,530
75th Percentile$33,513$38,753
Top Earner (P90)$37,904$47,073
Total Employed110440
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bangor ($27,761) and Portland ($33,863) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.BangorPortlandMedian Salary$27,761$33,863Entry Level (P10)$23,637$26,089Top Earner (P90)$37,904$47,073US Median $30,349

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Bangor and Portland is $6,102 (21.98%). Portland's median is +11.58% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bangor spans $14,267,Portland spans $20,984. Portland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical billing and coding specialists.

Bangor
P10 (Entry)$23,637
P25$26,385
Median$27,761
P75$33,513
P90 (Top)$37,904
Portland
P10 (Entry)$26,089
P25$27,530
Median$33,863
P75$38,753
P90 (Top)$47,073

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($33,245 effective) pays 15.57% more than Bangor ($28,765 effective).

Bangor
Nominal: $27,761
CoL Index: 96.508
Adjusted: $28,765
Portland
Nominal: $33,863
CoL Index: 101.858
Adjusted: $33,245

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bangor if…

  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($33,863/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($47,073)
  • Larger job market (440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $33,245)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Bangor grew -26.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -12.0% growth in Portland over the same period.

Bangor, ME

+-26.5%

$36,930 (2021) → $27,132 (2025)

Portland, ME

+-12.0%

$37,610 (2021) → $33,095 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Portland has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $33,863/year, compared to Bangor at $27,761/year — a difference of $6,102 (21.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bangor and Portland?

Bangor medical billing and coding specialists earn $13.34/hr while Portland hygienists earn $16.28/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bangor and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bangor = $28,765, Portland = $33,245), job availability (110 vs 440 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $23,637 in Bangor and $26,089 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