Medical Billing Salary

Springfield vs University City: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Springfield, MO and University City, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Springfield, MO
$28,195
$13.56/hr
University City, MO
$29,201
$14.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpringfield, MOUniversity City, MO
Median Salary$28,195$29,201
Hourly Rate$13.56$14.04
Entry Level (P10)$23,073$21,443
25th Percentile$28,195$24,766
75th Percentile$36,949$36,521
Top Earner (P90)$45,702$43,708
Total Employed5306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Springfield ($28,195) and University City ($29,201) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.SpringfieldUniversity CityMedian Salary$28,195$29,201Entry Level (P10)$23,073$21,443Top Earner (P90)$45,702$43,708US Median $30,349

Verdict

Springfield and University City are closely matched on overall medical billing and coding specialist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Springfield and University City is $1,006 (3.57%). University City's median is -3.78% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Springfield spans $22,629,University City spans $22,265. Springfield has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Springfield
P10 (Entry)$23,073
P25$28,195
Median$28,195
P75$36,949
P90 (Top)$45,702
University City
P10 (Entry)$21,443
P25$24,766
Median$29,201
P75$36,521
P90 (Top)$43,708

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, University City ($32,590 effective) pays 2.39% more than Springfield ($31,828 effective).

Springfield
Nominal: $28,195
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $31,828
University City
Nominal: $29,201
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $32,590

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Springfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($45,702)
  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose University City if…

  • Higher median salary ($29,201/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $32,590)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Springfield grew -25.4% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -29.8% growth in University City over the same period.

Springfield, MO

+-25.4%

$36,930 (2021) → $27,556 (2025)

University City, MO

+-29.8%

$40,634 (2024) → $28,539 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Springfield or University City?

University City has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $29,201/year, compared to Springfield at $28,195/year — a difference of $1,006 (3.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Springfield and University City?

Springfield medical billing and coding specialists earn $13.56/hr while University City hygienists earn $14.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Springfield to University City as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Springfield and University City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Springfield = $31,828, University City = $32,590), job availability (530 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Springfield vs University City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $23,073 in Springfield and $21,443 in University City. The Springfield 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