Medical Billing Salary

St. Paul vs Winona: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between St. Paul, MN and Winona, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

St. Paul, MN
$36,325
$17.47/hr
Winona, MN
$16,432
$7.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSt. Paul, MNWinona, MN
Median Salary$36,325$16,432
Hourly Rate$17.47$7.90
Entry Level (P10)$25,842$12,373
25th Percentile$30,614$14,149
75th Percentile$46,074$20,396
Top Earner (P90)$56,304$24,984
Total Employed804
Side-by-side bar chart comparing St. Paul ($36,325) and Winona ($16,432) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.St. PaulWinonaMedian Salary$36,325$16,432Entry Level (P10)$25,842$12,373Top Earner (P90)$56,304$24,984US Median $30,349

Verdict

St. Paul, MN offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Winona.

The salary gap between St. Paul and Winona is $19,893 (121.06%). St. Paul's median is +19.69% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in St. Paul spans $30,462,Winona spans $12,611. St. Paul has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

St. Paul
P10 (Entry)$25,842
P25$30,614
Median$36,325
P75$46,074
P90 (Top)$56,304
Winona
P10 (Entry)$12,373
P25$14,149
Median$16,432
P75$20,396
P90 (Top)$24,984

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Paul ($36,878 effective) pays 121.06% more than Winona ($16,682 effective).

St. Paul
Nominal: $36,325
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $36,878
Winona
Nominal: $16,432
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $16,682

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose St. Paul if…

  • Higher median salary ($36,325/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($56,304)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $36,878)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Winona if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in St. Paul grew -35.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -68.1% growth in Winona over the same period.

St. Paul, MN

+-35.8%

$55,289 (2024) → $35,501 (2025)

Winona, MN

+-68.1%

$50,408 (2024) → $16,059 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: St. Paul or Winona?

St. Paul has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $36,325/year, compared to Winona at $16,432/year — a difference of $19,893 (121.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between St. Paul and Winona?

St. Paul medical billing and coding specialists earn $17.47/hr while Winona hygienists earn $7.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from St. Paul to Winona as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing St. Paul and Winona. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: St. Paul = $36,878, Winona = $16,682), job availability (80 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in St. Paul vs Winona?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $25,842 in St. Paul and $12,373 in Winona. The St. Paul 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