Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Little Rock, AR: $20,699 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Little Rock, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $20,699 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Little Rock's local price level (BEA RPP 89.4 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $23,163 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($24,794) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, those entering the medical billing and coding field in Little Rock, Arkansas, can expect an entry-level salary starting at around $20,699, which is lower than the median annual salary for the city of $24,794. This initial pay reflects the beginning phase of a potentially rewarding career, with gradual growth anticipated as professionals gain experience. Within the first three to five years, it’s realistic for entry-level specialists to advance to the 25th percentile, earning approximately $21,708, and eventually reaching the median as they develop their skills and credentials. Given Little Rock's current job market, which is seeing a 2.32% annual growth rate, new graduates can find opportunities that may offer competitive compensation compared to their peers in similar roles across the nation, where the median salary stands at $30,349.
Career Earnings Timeline in Little Rock
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 Little Rock
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Little Rock, AR typically start between $20,699 and $21,708 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $18,694 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $24,794 — 18.3% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Arkansas of $2,200 represents just 10.63% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($20,699/year) in Little Rock. 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 Little Rock
- 1Research the Little Rock market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $20,699 to $21,708, 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 Little Rock, 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 Little Rock for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Little Rock'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 Little Rock is $18,694 ( 90.31%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $20,699, experienced hygienists can earn up to $39,393.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$29,310
2025 BLS Actual
$20,230
2026 Current Est.
$20,699
2021–2027 Growth
+-27.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Little Rock (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $20,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20,699 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21,180 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Little Rock, AR grew -31.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,310 in 2021 to $20,230 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $21,180. New graduates entering the Little Rock job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock 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 Little Rock
Employers in Little Rock are actively seeking new graduates from medical billing and coding programs to fill various entry-level positions. Organizations such as third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams regularly hire CPC-A coders, providing essential mentorship for those just starting. Physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers also create entry-level roles, while hospital inpatient coding positions typically require CCS certification. To enhance starting pay in Arkansas, candidates can pursue credentials from recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA, focusing on outpatient CPC or inpatient CCS certifications. Given the shift toward remote work—approximately 80% since 2020—staying current with coding updates, particularly in risk adjustment and HCC coding for Medicare Advantage, is vital. As new professionals develop their expertise over the first one to three years, they can expect tangible salary growth and opportunities through continued education and specialization.
More salary data for Little Rock, 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 Little Rock. 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