Medical Billing Salary

Margate vs Tampa: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Margate, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Margate, FL
$25,964
$12.48/hr
Tampa, FL
$29,685
$14.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMargate, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$25,964$29,685
Hourly Rate$12.48$14.27
Entry Level (P10)$19,029$21,780
25th Percentile$22,148$26,082
75th Percentile$32,854$37,506
Top Earner (P90)$40,243$48,349
Total Employed132,450
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Margate ($25,964) and Tampa ($29,685) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.MargateTampaMedian Salary$25,964$29,685Entry Level (P10)$19,029$21,780Top Earner (P90)$40,243$48,349US Median $30,349

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Margate.

The salary gap between Margate and Tampa is $3,721 (14.33%). Tampa's median is -2.19% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Margate spans $21,214,Tampa spans $26,569. Tampa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical billing and coding specialists.

Margate
P10 (Entry)$19,029
P25$22,148
Median$25,964
P75$32,854
P90 (Top)$40,243
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$21,780
P25$26,082
Median$29,685
P75$37,506
P90 (Top)$48,349

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($29,423 effective) pays 14.23% more than Margate ($25,758 effective).

Margate
Nominal: $25,964
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $25,758
Tampa
Nominal: $29,685
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $29,423

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Margate if…

  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($29,685/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($48,349)
  • Larger job market (2,450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $29,423)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Margate grew -43.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -24.6% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Margate, FL

+-43.7%

$45,039 (2024) → $25,375 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+-24.6%

$38,480 (2021) → $29,012 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Margate or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $29,685/year, compared to Margate at $25,964/year — a difference of $3,721 (14.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Margate and Tampa?

Margate medical billing and coding specialists earn $12.48/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $14.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Margate to Tampa as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Margate and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Margate = $25,758, Tampa = $29,423), job availability (13 vs 2,450 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Margate vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $19,029 in Margate and $21,780 in Tampa. The Tampa 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