Medical Billing Salary

Mesa vs Prescott: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Mesa, AZ and Prescott, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mesa, AZ
$28,023
$13.48/hr
Prescott, AZ
$26,905
$12.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMesa, AZPrescott, AZ
Median Salary$28,023$26,905
Hourly Rate$13.48$12.93
Entry Level (P10)$20,268$20,930
25th Percentile$23,788$23,746
75th Percentile$35,768$33,960
Top Earner (P90)$43,436$41,703
Total Employed989
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mesa ($28,023) and Prescott ($26,905) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.MesaPrescottMedian Salary$28,023$26,905Entry Level (P10)$20,268$20,930Top Earner (P90)$43,436$41,703US Median $30,349

Verdict

Mesa, AZ offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Prescott.

The salary gap between Mesa and Prescott is $1,118 (4.16%). Mesa's median is -7.66% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mesa spans $23,168,Prescott spans $20,773. Mesa has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Mesa
P10 (Entry)$20,268
P25$23,788
Median$28,023
P75$35,768
P90 (Top)$43,436
Prescott
P10 (Entry)$20,930
P25$23,746
Median$26,905
P75$33,960
P90 (Top)$41,703

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mesa ($28,450 effective) pays 4.16% more than Prescott ($27,315 effective).

Mesa
Nominal: $28,023
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $28,450
Prescott
Nominal: $26,905
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $27,315

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mesa if…

  • Higher median salary ($28,023/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($43,436)
  • Larger job market (98 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $28,450)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Prescott if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Mesa grew -50.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -43.6% growth in Prescott over the same period.

Mesa, AZ

+-50.2%

$55,050 (2024) → $27,388 (2025)

Prescott, AZ

+-43.6%

$46,640 (2021) → $26,295 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Mesa or Prescott?

Mesa has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $28,023/year, compared to Prescott at $26,905/year — a difference of $1,118 (4.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mesa and Prescott?

Mesa medical billing and coding specialists earn $13.48/hr while Prescott hygienists earn $12.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mesa to Prescott as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mesa and Prescott. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mesa = $28,450, Prescott = $27,315), job availability (98 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Mesa vs Prescott?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $20,268 in Mesa and $20,930 in Prescott. The Prescott 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