Medical Billing Salary

Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Barnstable Town, MA: $26,142 (2026)

Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Barnstable Town, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $26,142 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Barnstable Town's local price level (BEA RPP 98.42% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $26,580 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($34,848) within a few years of clinical practice.

$26,142
Starting Salary
$12.56/hr
Starting Hourly
$26,142
Entry Level
$34,848
Career Median Target

Official BLS data · View source

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

New graduates in the medical billing and coding field should have realistic expectations for their starting pay in Barnstable Town, Massachusetts. The projected entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in 2026 is around $26,142, which is modest compared to the city's median annual salary of $34,848. New coders can expect to see their earnings increase significantly with experience, moving towards the 25th percentile salary of $30,023 within just a couple of years. For those embarking on their careers in Barnstable Town, this market presents a solid opportunity, particularly as the demand for trained medical coders remains strong and stable.

Career Earnings Timeline in Barnstable Town

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$26,142/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$30,023/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$34,848/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$40,432/yr

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

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Barnstable Town

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Barnstable Town. The median salary is $34,848, compared to the national median of $30,349.$23.5K$30.6K$37.6K$44.6K$51.6K$26.1K10th Pctl$30.0K25th Pctl$34.8KMedian$40.4K75th Pctl$49.2K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Barnstable Town, MA typically start between $26,142 and $30,023 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $23,032 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $34,84814.82% above the national median.

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

Return on Investment

$6,500
Avg MA Program Cost
$26,142
Starting Salary
24.86%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average medical billing and coding program cost in Massachusetts of $6,500 represents just 24.86% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($26,142/year) in Barnstable Town. 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 Barnstable Town

  • 1Research the Barnstable Town market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $26,142 to $30,023, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Barnstable Town, 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 Barnstable Town for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Barnstable Town's moderate 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 Barnstable Town is $23,032 ( 88.10%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $26,142, experienced hygienists can earn up to $49,174.

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

2021 BLS Actual

$37,990

2025 BLS Actual

$25,549

2026 Current Est.

$26,142

2021–2027 Growth

+-29.6%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Barnstable Town (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 Barnstable Town. Baseline $37,990 in 2025, projected to $26,748 by 2027.$22.1K$28.1K$34.1K$40.1K$46.1K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$38.0K$38.4K$42.6K$36.5K$25.5K$26.1K$26.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$37,990Actual
2022$38,360Actual
2023$42,650Actual
2024$36,510Actual
2025$25,549Actual
2026(current)$26,142Estimated
2027$26,748Projected

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Barnstable Town, MA grew -32.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $37,990 in 2021 to $25,549 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $26,748. New graduates entering the Barnstable Town job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Barnstable Town 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 Barnstable Town

Several employers in Barnstable Town are keen to hire new graduates in medical billing and coding, particularly third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams, which often recruit individuals with CPC-A credentials for entry-level positions requiring structured mentorship. Physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers are also viable options for entry roles, while hospital inpatient coding positions typically demand CCS certification. Earning credentials from recognized bodies such as AAPC and AHIMA can enhance starting salaries; familiarity with ICD-10-CM and CPT coding is essential. Career growth in the first few years can be promising, especially given the shift to remote work in the industry and the rise of risk adjustment coding in the Medicare Advantage space. With ongoing learning through quarterly CPT updates, newcomers in this field can expect gradual salary increases, reflecting their growing expertise and the increasing complexity of medical coding tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Barnstable Town start at approximately $26,142/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 $12.57/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 Barnstable Town?

Most medical billing and coding specialists in Barnstable Town progress from the entry-level salary of $26,142 to the area median of $34,848 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $49,174 (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 Barnstable Town?

With a starting salary of $26,142/year in Barnstable Town 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 Barnstable Town?

New medical billing and coding graduates in Barnstable Town typically start near the 10th percentile at $26,142/year, or approximately $12.57/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 Massachusetts?

To become a licensed medical billing and coding specialist in Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts, 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 Massachusetts

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 Barnstable Town. 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

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