Medical Billing Salary

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

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

Prescott, AZ
$26,905
$12.93/hr
Tucson, AZ
$29,257
$14.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPrescott, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$26,905$29,257
Hourly Rate$12.93$14.07
Entry Level (P10)$20,930$21,216
25th Percentile$23,746$23,418
75th Percentile$33,960$33,768
Top Earner (P90)$41,703$41,387
Total Employed9530
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Prescott ($26,905) and Tucson ($29,257) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.PrescottTucsonMedian Salary$26,905$29,257Entry Level (P10)$20,930$21,216Top Earner (P90)$41,703$41,387US Median $30,349

Verdict

Tucson, AZ offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Prescott.

The salary gap between Prescott and Tucson is $2,352 (8.74%). Tucson's median is -3.60% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Prescott spans $20,773,Tucson spans $20,171. Prescott has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Prescott
P10 (Entry)$20,930
P25$23,746
Median$26,905
P75$33,960
P90 (Top)$41,703
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$21,216
P25$23,418
Median$29,257
P75$33,768
P90 (Top)$41,387

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tucson ($30,194 effective) pays 10.54% more than Prescott ($27,315 effective).

Prescott
Nominal: $26,905
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $27,315
Tucson
Nominal: $29,257
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $30,194

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Prescott if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($41,703)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Higher median salary ($29,257/year)
  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $30,194)
  • 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 Prescott grew -43.6% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -24.5% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Prescott, AZ

+-43.6%

$46,640 (2021) → $26,295 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+-24.5%

$37,850 (2021) → $28,594 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Tucson has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $29,257/year, compared to Prescott at $26,905/year — a difference of $2,352 (8.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Prescott and Tucson?

Prescott medical billing and coding specialists earn $12.93/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $14.07/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Prescott and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Prescott = $27,315, Tucson = $30,194), job availability (9 vs 530 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $20,930 in Prescott and $21,216 in Tucson. The Tucson 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