Medical Billing Salary

Colorado Springs vs Wheat Ridge: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Colorado Springs, CO and Wheat Ridge, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Colorado Springs, CO
$32,610
$15.68/hr
Wheat Ridge, CO
$31,377
$15.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColorado Springs, COWheat Ridge, CO
Median Salary$32,610$31,377
Hourly Rate$15.68$15.08
Entry Level (P10)$24,408$24,400
25th Percentile$28,575$27,591
75th Percentile$38,414$39,505
Top Earner (P90)$46,361$48,620
Total Employed2008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Colorado Springs ($32,610) and Wheat Ridge ($31,377) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.Colorado SpringsWheat RidgeMedian Salary$32,610$31,377Entry Level (P10)$24,408$24,400Top Earner (P90)$46,361$48,620US Median $30,349

Verdict

Colorado Springs, CO offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Wheat Ridge.

The salary gap between Colorado Springs and Wheat Ridge is $1,233 (3.93%). Colorado Springs's median is +7.45% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Colorado Springs spans $21,953,Wheat Ridge spans $24,220. Wheat Ridge has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical billing and coding specialists.

Colorado Springs
P10 (Entry)$24,408
P25$28,575
Median$32,610
P75$38,414
P90 (Top)$46,361
Wheat Ridge
P10 (Entry)$24,400
P25$27,591
Median$31,377
P75$39,505
P90 (Top)$48,620

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Colorado Springs ($32,381 effective) pays 8.36% more than Wheat Ridge ($29,883 effective).

Colorado Springs
Nominal: $32,610
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $32,381
Wheat Ridge
Nominal: $31,377
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $29,883

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • Higher median salary ($32,610/year)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $32,381)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Wheat Ridge if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($48,620)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Colorado Springs grew -33.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -44.8% growth in Wheat Ridge over the same period.

Colorado Springs, CO

+-33.1%

$47,670 (2021) → $31,871 (2025)

Wheat Ridge, CO

+-44.8%

$55,567 (2024) → $30,666 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Colorado Springs or Wheat Ridge?

Colorado Springs has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $32,610/year, compared to Wheat Ridge at $31,377/year — a difference of $1,233 (3.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Colorado Springs and Wheat Ridge?

Colorado Springs medical billing and coding specialists earn $15.68/hr while Wheat Ridge hygienists earn $15.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Colorado Springs to Wheat Ridge as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Colorado Springs and Wheat Ridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Colorado Springs = $32,381, Wheat Ridge = $29,883), job availability (200 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Colorado Springs vs Wheat Ridge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $24,408 in Colorado Springs and $24,400 in Wheat Ridge. The Colorado Springs 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