Medical Billing Salary

Eau Claire vs Madison: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Eau Claire, WI and Madison, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Eau Claire, WI
$29,453
$14.16/hr
Madison, WI
$36,711
$17.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEau Claire, WIMadison, WI
Median Salary$29,453$36,711
Hourly Rate$14.16$17.65
Entry Level (P10)$28,266$28,770
25th Percentile$28,468$29,940
75th Percentile$34,527$45,993
Top Earner (P90)$37,952$47,311
Total Employed130490
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Eau Claire ($29,453) and Madison ($36,711) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.Eau ClaireMadisonMedian Salary$29,453$36,711Entry Level (P10)$28,266$28,770Top Earner (P90)$37,952$47,311US Median $30,349

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Eau Claire.

The salary gap between Eau Claire and Madison is $7,258 (24.64%). Madison's median is +20.96% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Eau Claire spans $9,686,Madison spans $18,541. Madison has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical billing and coding specialists.

Eau Claire
P10 (Entry)$28,266
P25$28,468
Median$29,453
P75$34,527
P90 (Top)$37,952
Madison
P10 (Entry)$28,770
P25$29,940
Median$36,711
P75$45,993
P90 (Top)$47,311

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($37,735 effective) pays 18.89% more than Eau Claire ($31,740 effective).

Eau Claire
Nominal: $29,453
CoL Index: 92.796
Adjusted: $31,740
Madison
Nominal: $36,711
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $37,735

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Eau Claire if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($36,711/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($47,311)
  • Larger job market (490 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $37,735)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Eau Claire grew -39.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -25.4% growth in Madison over the same period.

Eau Claire, WI

+-39.0%

$47,220 (2021) → $28,785 (2025)

Madison, WI

+-25.4%

$48,070 (2021) → $35,879 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Eau Claire or Madison?

Madison has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $36,711/year, compared to Eau Claire at $29,453/year — a difference of $7,258 (24.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Eau Claire and Madison?

Eau Claire medical billing and coding specialists earn $14.16/hr while Madison hygienists earn $17.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Eau Claire to Madison as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Eau Claire and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Eau Claire = $31,740, Madison = $37,735), job availability (130 vs 490 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Eau Claire vs Madison?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $28,266 in Eau Claire and $28,770 in Madison. The Madison 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