Medical Billing Salary

Denton vs Houston: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Denton, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Denton, TX
$26,614
$12.80/hr
Houston, TX
$30,415
$14.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenton, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$26,614$30,415
Hourly Rate$12.80$14.62
Entry Level (P10)$19,371$22,640
25th Percentile$22,586$26,913
75th Percentile$34,066$38,960
Top Earner (P90)$41,252$47,779
Total Employed333,680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denton ($26,614) and Houston ($30,415) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.DentonHoustonMedian Salary$26,614$30,415Entry Level (P10)$19,371$22,640Top Earner (P90)$41,252$47,779US Median $30,349

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Denton.

The salary gap between Denton and Houston is $3,801 (14.28%). Houston's median is +0.22% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denton spans $21,881,Houston spans $25,139. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical billing and coding specialists.

Denton
P10 (Entry)$19,371
P25$22,586
Median$26,614
P75$34,066
P90 (Top)$41,252
Houston
P10 (Entry)$22,640
P25$26,913
Median$30,415
P75$38,960
P90 (Top)$47,779

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($30,838 effective) pays 11.24% more than Denton ($27,723 effective).

Denton
Nominal: $26,614
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $27,723
Houston
Nominal: $30,415
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $30,838

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denton if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($30,415/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($47,779)
  • Larger job market (3,680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $30,838)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Denton grew -45.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -32.5% growth in Houston over the same period.

Denton, TX

+-45.5%

$47,730 (2024) → $26,011 (2025)

Houston, TX

+-32.5%

$44,010 (2021) → $29,725 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Denton or Houston?

Houston has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $30,415/year, compared to Denton at $26,614/year — a difference of $3,801 (14.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denton and Houston?

Denton medical billing and coding specialists earn $12.80/hr while Houston hygienists earn $14.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denton to Houston as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denton and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denton = $27,723, Houston = $30,838), job availability (33 vs 3,680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Denton vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $19,371 in Denton and $22,640 in Houston. The Houston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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