Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Benton, AR: $17,274 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Benton, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $17,274 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Benton's local price level (BEA RPP 86.9 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $19,878 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($23,971) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Benton, AR, new graduates can expect to start their careers in medical billing and coding with an entry-level salary of approximately $17,274. This initial pay rate is significantly below the city's median annual salary of $23,971, indicating a roughly 28% gap that early-career professionals will have to bridge. Over the first few years, salaries are likely to progress from the entry-level mark through the 25th percentile at $20,143 before possibly reaching the local median as experience is gained. With a modest growth rate of 2.32% annually projected over the next few years, Benton remains a viable market for aspiring medical billing and coding specialists, especially those willing to enhance their credentials and seek further training.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Benton
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Benton, AR typically start between $17,274 and $20,143 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $19,230 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $23,971 — 21.02% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Arkansas of $2,200 represents just 12.74% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($17,274/year) in Benton. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AHIMA/CAHIIM-accredited coding and health information certificate programs plus AAPC-approved training courses. Certificates at community colleges and online training programs are the most affordable; associate degree programs cost more but broaden career options. Exam fees (CCA, CCS, CPC) are typically $299-$499 and are separate from tuition.
MBS Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Benton
- 1Research the Benton market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $17,274 to $20,143, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical billing and coding field — employers in AR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Benton, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Benton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Benton's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Compensation Range
The medical billing and coding specialist wage spread in Benton is $19,230 ( 111.32%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $17,274, experienced hygienists can earn up to $36,504.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$13,428
2025 BLS Actual
$16,882
2026 Current Est.
$17,274
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Benton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13,428 | Actual |
| 2022 | $14,468 | Actual |
| 2023 | $16,006 | Actual |
| 2024 | $24,136 | Actual |
| 2025 | $16,882 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17,274 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17,674 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Benton, AR grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $13,428 in 2021 to $16,882 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $17,674. New graduates entering the Benton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.32% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your medical billing and coding Career in Benton
When considering employment opportunities in Benton, newly minted graduates should tap into local healthcare networks, including third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams, which prefer candidates with core certifications like CPC-A. Practicing at outpatient surgery centers and physician group practices can offer valuable experience in entry-level roles to newcomers. Additionally, continuing education in specialty areas, such as risk adjustment or becoming proficient with ICD-10-CM and CPT updates, can lead to higher starting medical billing and coding specialist pay in AR. With the ongoing shift towards remote work within the coding profession and a heightened focus on risk adjustment coding, early professionals can expect realistic salary increments as they further their credentials through recognized institutions like AAPC or AHIMA. Consistent skill enhancement and a proactive approach to networking are essential strategies during the first few years in this evolving field.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical billing and coding graduates. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Benton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Benton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical billing and coding specialists (SOC 29-2072).
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