Medical Billing Salary

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

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

Houston, TX
$30,415
$14.62/hr
Mission, TX
$23,442
$11.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXMission, TX
Median Salary$30,415$23,442
Hourly Rate$14.62$11.27
Entry Level (P10)$22,640$16,443
25th Percentile$26,913$19,371
75th Percentile$38,960$29,072
Top Earner (P90)$47,779$36,335
Total Employed3,68022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($30,415) and Mission ($23,442) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.HoustonMissionMedian Salary$30,415$23,442Entry Level (P10)$22,640$16,443Top Earner (P90)$47,779$36,335US Median $30,349

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Mission is $6,973 (29.75%). 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 Houston spans $25,139,Mission spans $19,892. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$22,640
P25$26,913
Median$30,415
P75$38,960
P90 (Top)$47,779
Mission
P10 (Entry)$16,443
P25$19,371
Median$23,442
P75$29,072
P90 (Top)$36,335

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($30,838 effective) pays 26.29% more than Mission ($24,419 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $30,415
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $30,838
Mission
Nominal: $23,442
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $24,419

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Mission if…

  • 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 Houston grew -32.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -52.2% growth in Mission over the same period.

Houston, TX

+-32.5%

$44,010 (2021) → $29,725 (2025)

Mission, TX

+-52.2%

$47,944 (2024) → $22,910 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Houston has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $30,415/year, compared to Mission at $23,442/year — a difference of $6,973 (29.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Mission?

Houston medical billing and coding specialists earn $14.62/hr while Mission hygienists earn $11.27/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Mission. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $30,838, Mission = $24,419), job availability (3,680 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $22,640 in Houston and $16,443 in Mission. 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