Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Bentonville, AR: $16,528 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Bentonville, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $16,528 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Bentonville's local price level (BEA RPP 86.9 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $19,020 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($24,172) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those embarking on a career as a medical billing and coding specialist in Bentonville, the 2026 projected starting salary presents a realistic entry point at approximately $16,528 annually. While this figure sits below the city median of $24,172, it sets a foundation on which new graduates can build their careers. With a growth trajectory that can lead to salaries around $21,105 at the 25th percentile and potentially reaching the median within a few years, Bentonville's job market appears to be accommodating for entry-level positions in this niche. For aspiring specialists, the local demand for such roles suggests that pursuing certifications and initial experience is both viable and essential to exploit the upward mobility within the profession.
About the Bentonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Bentonville
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 Bentonville
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Bentonville, AR typically start between $16,528 and $21,105 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $20,775 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $24,172 — 20.35% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Arkansas of $2,200 represents just 13.31% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($16,528/year) in Bentonville. 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 Bentonville
- 1Research the Bentonville market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $16,528 to $21,105, 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 Bentonville, 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 Bentonville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Bentonville'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 Bentonville is $20,775 ( 125.70%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $16,528, experienced hygienists can earn up to $37,303.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$12,848
2025 BLS Actual
$16,153
2026 Current Est.
$16,528
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bentonville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $12,848 | Actual |
| 2022 | $13,844 | Actual |
| 2023 | $15,315 | Actual |
| 2024 | $23,086 | Actual |
| 2025 | $16,153 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16,528 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16,911 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Bentonville, AR grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $12,848 in 2021 to $16,153 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $16,911. New graduates entering the Bentonville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bentonville 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 Bentonville
Looking ahead, several employers in Bentonville are opening doors for new coders, such as third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams that actively recruit CPC-A certified professionals. Initial roles often include outpatient settings at physician group practices and ambulatory surgical centers, where practical mentorship is usually part of the job. Elevating one’s credentials is vital; beginning with certifications like AAPC's CPC or AHIMA's CCS could provide early pay increases. Given the remote work shift post-2020, medical coders must stay updated with new coding guidelines, particularly as risk adjustment coding has gained traction. In this burgeoning field, the realistic expectation for salary increases during the first few years might introduce new coders to a more knowledgeable and financially rewarding position, especially as they gain experience and further their education.
More salary data for Bentonville, 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 Bentonville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bentonville 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