Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Shrewsbury, MA: $25,411 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Shrewsbury, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $25,411 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Shrewsbury's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $23,420 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($33,128) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the medical billing and coding field in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, the starting pay generally falls around $25,411 annually for entry-level positions in 2026. While this figure is below the city's median salary of $33,128, it does indicate a pathway to growth as new graduates gain experience. Early career specialists can expect their salaries to rise as they progress; transitioning from the entry-level position to the 25th percentile at $28,872 over the first few years is attainable. Considering Shrewsbury's evolving healthcare landscape, the market currently offers opportunities for budding coders due to the increasing need for medical billing services, aligning well with projected industry growth rates of 2.32% over the next five years.
About the Shrewsbury Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Shrewsbury
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 Shrewsbury
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Shrewsbury, MA typically start between $25,411 and $28,872 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $25,937 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $33,128 — 9.16% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Massachusetts of $6,500 represents just 25.58% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($25,411/year) in Shrewsbury. 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 Shrewsbury
- 1Research the Shrewsbury market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $25,411 to $28,872, 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 Shrewsbury, 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 Shrewsbury for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Shrewsbury'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 Shrewsbury is $25,937 ( 102.07%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $25,411, experienced hygienists can earn up to $51,348.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$19,754
2025 BLS Actual
$24,835
2026 Current Est.
$25,411
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Shrewsbury (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19,754 | Actual |
| 2022 | $21,284 | Actual |
| 2023 | $23,546 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,002 | Actual |
| 2025 | $24,835 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25,411 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26,001 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Shrewsbury, MA grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $19,754 in 2021 to $24,835 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $26,001. New graduates entering the Shrewsbury job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shrewsbury 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 Shrewsbury
New graduates should focus on organizations in Shrewsbury that actively hire entry-level medical billing and coding specialists. Third-party coding firms and payer coding audit teams are known to employ apprentice coders with structured mentorship programs. Additionally, physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) often have entry-level roles available. Credentialing through AAPC or AHIMA—such as obtaining the CPC or CPC-A for outpatient roles and the CCS for inpatient coding—can enhance job prospects and starting pay in MA. The shift toward remote work, comprising approximately 80% of the industry post-2020, underscores the importance of staying updated with ICD-10-CM and CPT coding standards, especially in thriving subspecialties like risk adjustment and HCC coding. With dedication and continuous education, new professionals in Shrewsbury could see a promising trajectory in their entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salaries within the first three years of their careers.
More salary data for Shrewsbury, MA:
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 Shrewsbury. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Shrewsbury 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