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 98.4 — 2% 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.
Official BLS data · View source

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
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 Barnstable Town
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 $34,848 — 14.82% above the national median.
Return on Investment
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 (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $25,549 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26,142 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26,748 | Projected |
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 (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Barnstable Town 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 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.
More salary data for Barnstable Town, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for medical billing and coding specialists in Barnstable Town in 2026?
How fast do medical billing and coding specialist salaries grow in Barnstable Town?
Is medical billing and coding school worth it in Barnstable Town?
What do new medical billing and coding specialists make right out of school in Barnstable Town?
How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in Massachusetts?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 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