Medical Billing Salary

Lawrence vs Liberal: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Lawrence, KS and Liberal, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lawrence, KS
$28,242
$13.58/hr
Liberal, KS
$14,923
$7.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLawrence, KSLiberal, KS
Median Salary$28,242$14,923
Hourly Rate$13.58$7.17
Entry Level (P10)$24,196$11,916
25th Percentile$28,242$13,334
75th Percentile$33,958$17,949
Top Earner (P90)$37,174$22,928
Total Employed704
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lawrence ($28,242) and Liberal ($14,923) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.LawrenceLiberalMedian Salary$28,242$14,923Entry Level (P10)$24,196$11,916Top Earner (P90)$37,174$22,928US Median $30,349

Verdict

Lawrence, KS offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Liberal.

The salary gap between Lawrence and Liberal is $13,319 (89.25%). Lawrence's median is -6.94% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lawrence spans $12,978,Liberal spans $11,012. Lawrence has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lawrence
P10 (Entry)$24,196
P25$28,242
Median$28,242
P75$33,958
P90 (Top)$37,174
Liberal
P10 (Entry)$11,916
P25$13,334
Median$14,923
P75$17,949
P90 (Top)$22,928

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lawrence ($31,296 effective) pays 90.63% more than Liberal ($16,417 effective).

Lawrence
Nominal: $28,242
CoL Index: 90.243
Adjusted: $31,296
Liberal
Nominal: $14,923
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $16,417

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lawrence if…

  • Higher median salary ($28,242/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($37,174)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $31,296)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Liberal if…

  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Lawrence grew -40.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -62.6% growth in Liberal over the same period.

Lawrence, KS

+-40.8%

$46,650 (2021) → $27,602 (2025)

Liberal, KS

+-62.6%

$38,999 (2024) → $14,585 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Lawrence or Liberal?

Lawrence has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $28,242/year, compared to Liberal at $14,923/year — a difference of $13,319 (89.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lawrence and Liberal?

Lawrence medical billing and coding specialists earn $13.58/hr while Liberal hygienists earn $7.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lawrence to Liberal as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lawrence and Liberal. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lawrence = $31,296, Liberal = $16,417), job availability (70 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Lawrence vs Liberal?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $24,196 in Lawrence and $11,916 in Liberal. The Lawrence 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