Medical Billing Salary

Morgantown vs South Charleston: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Morgantown, WV and South Charleston, WV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Morgantown, WV
$29,804
$14.32/hr
South Charleston, WV
$26,669
$12.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMorgantown, WVSouth Charleston, WV
Median Salary$29,804$26,669
Hourly Rate$14.32$12.82
Entry Level (P10)$20,576$20,362
25th Percentile$22,961$23,066
75th Percentile$36,877$32,342
Top Earner (P90)$45,595$38,899
Total Employed1405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Morgantown ($29,804) and South Charleston ($26,669) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.MorgantownSouth CharlestonMedian Salary$29,804$26,669Entry Level (P10)$20,576$20,362Top Earner (P90)$45,595$38,899US Median $30,349

Verdict

Morgantown, WV offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to South Charleston.

The salary gap between Morgantown and South Charleston is $3,135 (11.76%). Morgantown's median is -1.80% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Morgantown spans $25,019,South Charleston spans $18,537. Morgantown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Morgantown
P10 (Entry)$20,576
P25$22,961
Median$29,804
P75$36,877
P90 (Top)$45,595
South Charleston
P10 (Entry)$20,362
P25$23,066
Median$26,669
P75$32,342
P90 (Top)$38,899

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Morgantown ($31,936 effective) pays 3.58% more than South Charleston ($30,831 effective).

Morgantown
Nominal: $29,804
CoL Index: 93.323
Adjusted: $31,936
South Charleston
Nominal: $26,669
CoL Index: 86.5
Adjusted: $30,831

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Morgantown if…

  • Higher median salary ($29,804/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($45,595)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $31,936)
  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose South Charleston if…

  • You prefer the West Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Morgantown grew -36.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -21.4% growth in South Charleston over the same period.

Morgantown, WV

+-36.8%

$46,090 (2021) → $29,128 (2025)

South Charleston, WV

+-21.4%

$33,145 (2024) → $26,064 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Morgantown or South Charleston?

Morgantown has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $29,804/year, compared to South Charleston at $26,669/year — a difference of $3,135 (11.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Morgantown and South Charleston?

Morgantown medical billing and coding specialists earn $14.32/hr while South Charleston hygienists earn $12.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Morgantown to South Charleston as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Morgantown and South Charleston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Morgantown = $31,936, South Charleston = $30,831), job availability (140 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Morgantown vs South Charleston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $20,576 in Morgantown and $20,362 in South Charleston. The Morgantown 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