<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0508</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2024-11-01</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000946673</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BANNER CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BANR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001803405</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>BORRECCO MARK CHARLES</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10 SOUTH FIRST AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WALLA WALLA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>99362</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>Executive VP, Banner Bank</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <aff10b5One>0</aff10b5One>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock,  $0.01 par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2024-11-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3081</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>64.90</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3081</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock,  $0.01 par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2024-11-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1540</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>64.90</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4621</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents award pursuant to 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan; shares fully vest over a one-year period beginning on November 1, 2024 and ending on the first anniversary thereof. Each restricted stock unit represents the right to receive one share of the Issuer's Common Stock upon vesting. These restricted stock units are subject to forfeiture and to limits on transferability until they vest.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Closing price on November 1, 2024.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Represents award pursuant to 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan; shares vest ratably over a three-year period beginning on November 1, 2024 and ending on the third anniversary thereof. Each restricted stock unit represents the right to receive one share of the Issuer's Common Stock upon vesting. These restricted stock units are subject to forfeiture and to limits on transferability until they vest.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Mark C. Borrecco</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2024-11-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
