Medical Billing Salary

Lawton vs Tulsa: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Lawton, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lawton, OK
$29,637
$14.25/hr
Tulsa, OK
$30,527
$14.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLawton, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$29,637$30,527
Hourly Rate$14.25$14.67
Entry Level (P10)$20,854$22,344
25th Percentile$22,694$26,178
75th Percentile$37,204$39,334
Top Earner (P90)$42,687$50,586
Total Employed120580
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lawton ($29,637) and Tulsa ($30,527) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.LawtonTulsaMedian Salary$29,637$30,527Entry Level (P10)$20,854$22,344Top Earner (P90)$42,687$50,586US Median $30,349

Verdict

Tulsa, OK offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lawton.

The salary gap between Lawton and Tulsa is $890 (3.00%). Tulsa's median is +0.59% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lawton spans $21,833,Tulsa spans $28,242. Tulsa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical billing and coding specialists.

Lawton
P10 (Entry)$20,854
P25$22,694
Median$29,637
P75$37,204
P90 (Top)$42,687
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$22,344
P25$26,178
Median$30,527
P75$39,334
P90 (Top)$50,586

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lawton ($34,485 effective) pays 0.78% more than Tulsa ($34,218 effective).

Lawton
Nominal: $29,637
CoL Index: 85.941
Adjusted: $34,485
Tulsa
Nominal: $30,527
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $34,218

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lawton if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $34,485)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Higher median salary ($30,527/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,586)
  • Larger job market (580 employed)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Lawton grew -37.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -20.4% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Lawton, OK

+-37.2%

$46,130 (2021) → $28,965 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+-20.4%

$37,500 (2021) → $29,835 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Lawton or Tulsa?

Tulsa has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $30,527/year, compared to Lawton at $29,637/year — a difference of $890 (3.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lawton and Tulsa?

Lawton medical billing and coding specialists earn $14.25/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $14.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lawton to Tulsa as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lawton and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lawton = $34,485, Tulsa = $34,218), job availability (120 vs 580 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Lawton vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $20,854 in Lawton and $22,344 in Tulsa. The Tulsa 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