Medical Billing Salary

Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Derby, KS: $11,610 (2026)

Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Derby, KS job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $11,610 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Derby's local price level (BEA RPP 90.99% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $12,772 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($15,779) within a few years of clinical practice.

$11,610
Starting Salary
$5.59/hr
Starting Hourly
$11,610
Entry Level
$15,779
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Entry Level Salary in Derby, KS — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Derby, KS medical billing and coding specialist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

New graduates entering the medical billing and coding field in Derby, Kansas, can expect a starting medical billing and coding specialist salary of around $11,610 in 2026, which is significantly below the city's median annual salary of $15,779. This creates a noticeable gap for new grads, emphasizing the challenges they may face when seeking their first position. While the entry-level pay may seem discouraging, there is a potential growth trajectory within the first few years, with opportunities to advance to the 25th percentile salary of $13,387 and eventually reach the median. Given Derby's local job market and the occupational growth rate of 2.32% annually, the environment appears to offer a viable path for those willing to gain experience and continue their education in medical coding.

About the Derby Market

Salary estimated from Kansas average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Derby

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$11,610/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$13,387/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$15,779/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$19,732/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Derby

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Derby. The median salary is $15,779, compared to the national median of $30,349.$10.4K$15.8K$21.2K$26.5K$31.9K$11.6K10th Pctl$13.4K25th Pctl$15.8KMedian$19.7K75th Pctl$24.2K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Derby, KS typically start between $11,610 and $13,387 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $12,622 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $15,77948.01% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical billing and coding specialist pay in the Derby metro area.

Return on Investment

$2,800
Avg KS Program Cost
$11,610
Starting Salary
24.12%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average medical billing and coding program cost in Kansas of $2,800 represents just 24.12% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($11,610/year) in Derby. 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 Derby

  • 1Research the Derby market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $11,610 to $13,387, 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 KS often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Derby, 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 Derby for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Derby'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 Derby is $12,622 ( 108.72%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $11,610, experienced hygienists can earn up to $24,232.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2021 BLS Actual

$9,025

2025 BLS Actual

$11,347

2026 Current Est.

$11,610

2021–2027 Growth

+31.6%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Derby (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Derby. Baseline $9,025 in 2025, projected to $11,880 by 2027.$4.9K$12.1K$19.4K$26.7K$34.0K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$9.0K$9.7K$10.8K$29.9K$11.3K$11.6K$11.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$9,025Actual
2022$9,725Actual
2023$10,758Actual
2024$29,851Actual
2025$11,347Actual
2026(current)$11,610Estimated
2027$11,880Projected

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Derby, KS grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $9,025 in 2021 to $11,347 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $11,880. New graduates entering the Derby job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derby metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Derby

In Derby, various employers are on the lookout for new graduates in this profession, including third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams that specifically seek apprentice coders (CPC-A) for structured mentorship positions. Physician group practices and outpatient Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) often have entry-level roles for those holding a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential. To enhance earning potential in Kansas, candidates may consider obtaining certifications from recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA. Pursuing relevant credentials, such as the CPC or CCS, as well as keeping up with ongoing education, becomes crucial as remote work has grown significantly—approximately 80% of coding work is now done from home. Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists can expect modest salary increases in their initial years, particularly as they adapt to industry changes such as the continuous updates required for ICD-10-CM and CPT coding, with a focus on high-demand areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding in the current healthcare landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for medical billing and coding specialists in Derby in 2026?

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Derby start at approximately $11,610/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $5.58/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do medical billing and coding specialist salaries grow in Derby?

Most medical billing and coding specialists in Derby progress from the entry-level salary of $11,610 to the area median of $15,779 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $24,232 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is medical billing and coding school worth it in Derby?

With a starting salary of $11,610/year in Derby and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new medical billing and coding specialists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new medical billing and coding specialists make right out of school in Derby?

New medical billing and coding graduates in Derby typically start near the 10th percentile at $11,610/year, or approximately $5.58/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in Kansas?

To become a licensed medical billing and coding specialist in Kansas, you typically need postsecondary certificate or associate degree in medical billing and coding from an accredited program, plus optional professional certification, then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Kansas, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some medical billing and coding specialists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Kansas

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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 Derby. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Derby is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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