Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Lewiston, ID: $23,780 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Lewiston, ID job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $23,780 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lewiston's local price level (BEA RPP 91.2 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $26,086 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($29,050) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source

For those entering the field of medical billing and coding in Lewiston, the 2026 projected entry-level salary reflects the challenges and opportunities awaiting new graduates. With a starting salary around $23,780, new participants in this field may find themselves initially beneath the city's median pay of $29,050, indicating the potential for growth as skills and experience accumulate. Entry-level specialists can expect a steady financial trajectory, moving towards the 25th percentile salary of $27,477 within a few years. Given the current job market conditions in Lewiston, 2026 presents a reasonable environment for newcomers, with increasing demand for coders, especially as shifts to remote work remain prevalent after 2020.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lewiston
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 Lewiston
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Lewiston, ID typically start between $23,780 and $27,477 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $22,266 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $29,050 — 4.28% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Idaho of $3,000 represents just 12.62% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($23,780/year) in Lewiston. 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 Lewiston
- 1Research the Lewiston market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $23,780 to $27,477, 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 ID often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lewiston, 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 Lewiston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lewiston'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 Lewiston is $22,266 ( 93.63%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $23,780, experienced hygienists can earn up to $46,046.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$29,540
2025 BLS Actual
$23,241
2026 Current Est.
$23,780
2021–2027 Growth
+-17.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Lewiston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $23,241 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23,780 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24,332 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Lewiston, ID grew -21.3% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,540 in 2021 to $23,241 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $24,332. New graduates entering the Lewiston job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston 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 Lewiston
Companies in Lewiston are actively hiring entry-level medical billing and coding specialists, providing various avenues for those just starting their careers. Third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams frequently seek out candidates with CPC-A credentials, offering structured mentorship to jumpstart their coding education. Physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) also represent potential employers looking for entry-level CPC roles. To boost starting salaries, new grads should consider obtaining certifications from recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA, with credentials such as CPC (for outpatient roles) or CCS (for inpatient coding). The first few years in this profession are crucial for skill development, particularly in areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding, which are expanding rapidly due to their relevance in insurance markets. With a clear focus on gaining proficiency in coding standards like ICD-10-CM and CPT updates, early-career coders in Lewiston can set themselves up for salary growth, aligning with the market's upward trajectory.
More salary data for Lewiston, ID:
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 Lewiston. 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