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 90.9 — 9% 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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
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 Derby
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 $15,779 — 48.01% below the national median.
Return on Investment
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 (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $9,025 | Actual |
| 2022 | $9,725 | Actual |
| 2023 | $10,758 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,851 | Actual |
| 2025 | $11,347 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $11,610 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $11,880 | Projected |
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 (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derby 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 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.
More salary data for Derby, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for medical billing and coding specialists in Derby in 2026?
How fast do medical billing and coding specialist salaries grow in Derby?
Is medical billing and coding school worth it in Derby?
What do new medical billing and coding specialists make right out of school in Derby?
How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in Kansas?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 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).
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