Medical Billing Salary

Cranston vs Pawtucket: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Cranston, RI and Pawtucket, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cranston, RI
$17,303
$8.32/hr
Pawtucket, RI
$17,671
$8.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCranston, RIPawtucket, RI
Median Salary$17,303$17,671
Hourly Rate$8.32$8.49
Entry Level (P10)$12,943$12,397
25th Percentile$14,904$14,604
75th Percentile$22,148$22,277
Top Earner (P90)$26,820$27,390
Total Employed1216
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cranston ($17,303) and Pawtucket ($17,671) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.CranstonPawtucketMedian Salary$17,303$17,671Entry Level (P10)$12,943$12,397Top Earner (P90)$26,820$27,390US Median $30,349

Verdict

Pawtucket, RI offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cranston.

The salary gap between Cranston and Pawtucket is $368 (2.13%). Pawtucket's median is -41.77% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cranston spans $13,877,Pawtucket spans $14,993. Pawtucket has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical billing and coding specialists.

Cranston
P10 (Entry)$12,943
P25$14,904
Median$17,303
P75$22,148
P90 (Top)$26,820
Pawtucket
P10 (Entry)$12,397
P25$14,604
Median$17,671
P75$22,277
P90 (Top)$27,390

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pawtucket ($17,583 effective) pays 2.13% more than Cranston ($17,217 effective).

Cranston
Nominal: $17,303
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $17,217
Pawtucket
Nominal: $17,671
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $17,583

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cranston if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Pawtucket if…

  • Higher median salary ($17,671/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($27,390)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $17,583)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Cranston grew -68.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -68.1% growth in Pawtucket over the same period.

Cranston, RI

+-68.1%

$53,085 (2024) → $16,911 (2025)

Pawtucket, RI

+-68.1%

$54,211 (2024) → $17,270 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Cranston or Pawtucket?

Pawtucket has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $17,671/year, compared to Cranston at $17,303/year — a difference of $368 (2.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cranston and Pawtucket?

Cranston medical billing and coding specialists earn $8.32/hr while Pawtucket hygienists earn $8.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cranston to Pawtucket as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cranston and Pawtucket. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cranston = $17,217, Pawtucket = $17,583), job availability (12 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Cranston vs Pawtucket?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $12,943 in Cranston and $12,397 in Pawtucket. The Cranston 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