Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Fayetteville, AR: $20,890 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Fayetteville, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $20,890 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Fayetteville's local price level (BEA RPP 91.4 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $22,867 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($28,943) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the field of medical billing and coding in Fayetteville, Arkansas, can expect to start their careers with a salary ranging from $20,890 to about $28,943, depending on their experience and the type of employer. This entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in Fayetteville is notably below the national median of $30,349, revealing a gap that many newcomers to the profession may need to close through experience and additional qualifications. Over the first three to five years, individuals can progress in their pay from the entry-level P10 figure up through the P25 amount of $22,420, as they gain valuable skills and knowledge required in the market. With a projected growth rate of 2.32%, Fayetteville represents a stable market for new graduates, particularly for those willing to adapt to the increasingly remote work opportunities that have emerged post-pandemic.
Career Earnings Timeline in Fayetteville
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 Fayetteville
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Fayetteville, AR typically start between $20,890 and $22,420 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $17,786 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $28,943 — 4.63% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Arkansas of $2,200 represents just 10.53% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($20,890/year) in Fayetteville. 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 Fayetteville
- 1Research the Fayetteville market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $20,890 to $22,420, 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 Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Fayetteville'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 Fayetteville is $17,786 ( 85.14%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $20,890, experienced hygienists can earn up to $38,676.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$26,810
2025 BLS Actual
$20,416
2026 Current Est.
$20,890
2021–2027 Growth
+-20.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Fayetteville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $26,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $20,416 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20,890 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21,374 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Fayetteville, AR grew -23.8% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,810 in 2021 to $20,416 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $21,374. New graduates entering the Fayetteville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, various employers are keen on hiring entry-level medical billing and coding specialists, including physician group practices, outpatient surgical centers, and third-party coding companies. Employers often look for candidates with credentials such as the AAPC CPC or CPC-A certifications, as well as AHIMA certifications like CCS for inpatient coding roles. While working as an apprentice or beginner coder, obtaining additional training in ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS code sets can significantly enhance one’s marketability and starting pay in AR. Individuals should consider a career strategy that includes seeking positions with structured mentorship programs, which can lead to further advancements in specialties like risk adjustment and HCC coding, amid an already high growth demand. Realistically, entry-level salaries may see a significant increase, particularly within the first three years, as ongoing learning and the adaptation to the evolving coding landscape—now heavily remote—become integral components of job performance and career advancement in Fayetteville.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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 Fayetteville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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