Medical Billing Salary

San Antonio vs Waco: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between San Antonio, TX and Waco, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Antonio, TX
$27,364
$13.16/hr
Waco, TX
$25,595
$12.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Antonio, TXWaco, TX
Median Salary$27,364$25,595
Hourly Rate$13.16$12.31
Entry Level (P10)$20,379$16,611
25th Percentile$23,085$21,246
75th Percentile$35,483$29,928
Top Earner (P90)$42,883$34,812
Total Employed1,670110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Antonio ($27,364) and Waco ($25,595) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.San AntonioWacoMedian Salary$27,364$25,595Entry Level (P10)$20,379$16,611Top Earner (P90)$42,883$34,812US Median $30,349

Verdict

San Antonio, TX offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Waco.

The salary gap between San Antonio and Waco is $1,769 (6.91%). San Antonio's median is -9.84% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Antonio spans $22,504,Waco spans $18,201. San Antonio has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$20,379
P25$23,085
Median$27,364
P75$35,483
P90 (Top)$42,883
Waco
P10 (Entry)$16,611
P25$21,246
Median$25,595
P75$29,928
P90 (Top)$34,812

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($28,891 effective) pays 4.47% more than Waco ($27,655 effective).

San Antonio
Nominal: $27,364
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $28,891
Waco
Nominal: $25,595
CoL Index: 92.55
Adjusted: $27,655

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($27,364/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($42,883)
  • Larger job market (1,670 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $28,891)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Waco if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in San Antonio grew -33.6% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -32.8% growth in Waco over the same period.

San Antonio, TX

+-33.6%

$40,250 (2021) → $26,744 (2025)

Waco, TX

+-32.8%

$37,240 (2021) → $25,015 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: San Antonio or Waco?

San Antonio has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $27,364/year, compared to Waco at $25,595/year — a difference of $1,769 (6.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Antonio and Waco?

San Antonio medical billing and coding specialists earn $13.16/hr while Waco hygienists earn $12.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Antonio to Waco as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Antonio and Waco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Antonio = $28,891, Waco = $27,655), job availability (1,670 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in San Antonio vs Waco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $20,379 in San Antonio and $16,611 in Waco. The San Antonio 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