Medical Billing Salary

Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Midland, MI: $26,818 (2026)

Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Midland, MI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $26,818 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Midland's local price level (BEA RPP 91.98% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $29,175 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($30,889) within a few years of clinical practice.

$26,818
Starting Salary
$12.89/hr
Starting Hourly
$26,818
Entry Level
$30,889
Career Median Target

Official BLS data · View source

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

For those just starting out, the projected starting medical billing and coding specialist salary in Midland, MI is $26,818 in 2026. This figure reflects the 10th percentile, which sets a realistic expectation for new graduates entering the field. The gap between this entry-level pay and the city's median salary of $30,889 indicates that while initial earnings may be modest, there is room for growth as professionals gain experience and skills. With a path that leads from the P10 figure up to $28,647 for the 25th percentile and upwards to the median level, those in the workforce can anticipate a strong upward trajectory in earnings over the first few years. Given the city's current job market and the overall growth rate of 2.32% in this occupation, Midland offers viable opportunities for new grads to establish a foothold in their careers.

Career Earnings Timeline in Midland

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$26,818/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$28,647/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$30,889/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$38,082/yr

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

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Midland

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Midland. The median salary is $30,889, compared to the national median of $30,349.$24.1K$31.0K$37.9K$44.7K$51.6K$26.8K10th Pctl$28.6K25th Pctl$30.9KMedian$38.1K75th Pctl$49.1K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Midland, MI typically start between $26,818 and $28,647 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $22,320 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $30,8891.78% above the national median.

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

Return on Investment

$3,800
Avg MI Program Cost
$26,818
Starting Salary
14.17%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average medical billing and coding program cost in Michigan of $3,800 represents just 14.17% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($26,818/year) in Midland. 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 Midland

  • 1Research the Midland market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $26,818 to $28,647, 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 MI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Midland, 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 Midland for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Midland'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 Midland is $22,320 ( 83.23%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $26,818, experienced hygienists can earn up to $49,138.

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

2021 BLS Actual

$29,850

2025 BLS Actual

$26,210

2026 Current Est.

$26,818

2021–2027 Growth

+-8.1%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Midland (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 Midland. Baseline $29,850 in 2025, projected to $27,440 by 2027.$23.1K$28.6K$34.1K$39.6K$45.1K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$29.9K$37.0K$42.0K$41.7K$26.2K$26.8K$27.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$29,850Actual
2022$36,950Actual
2023$41,980Actual
2024$41,740Actual
2025$26,210Actual
2026(current)$26,818Estimated
2027$27,440Projected

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Midland, MI grew -12.2% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,850 in 2021 to $26,210 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $27,440. New graduates entering the Midland job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

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

In Midland, various employers seek newly minted medical billing and coding specialists. Third-party coding firms and payer coding audit teams often hire candidate with CPC-A (apprentice) credentials, offering structured mentorship to help them transition into the industry. Outpatient practices and ambulatory surgery centers typically provide entry-level roles as well, while hospital settings usually prefer candidates with CCS certifications for inpatient coding. To enhance starting pay in Michigan, pursuing credentials such as AAPC’s CPC or AHIMA’s CCS can significantly bolster job prospects. As the industry has shifted to around 80% remote roles post-2020, continuous education becomes crucial, especially with updates to ICD-10-CM and CPT codes. New professionals can explore niche areas such as risk adjustment or HCC coding, which are experiencing notable growth. Realistically, those in their first few years can expect gradual pay increases, aligning with their growing expertise and adaptation to industry demands in Midland.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Midland start at approximately $26,818/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 $12.89/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 Midland?

Most medical billing and coding specialists in Midland progress from the entry-level salary of $26,818 to the area median of $30,889 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $49,138 (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 Midland?

With a starting salary of $26,818/year in Midland 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 Midland?

New medical billing and coding graduates in Midland typically start near the 10th percentile at $26,818/year, or approximately $12.89/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 Michigan?

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

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 Midland. 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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