Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Minneapolis, MN: $28,706 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Minneapolis, MN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $28,706 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Minneapolis's local price level (BEA RPP 104.8 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $27,385 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($36,693) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in Minneapolis is projected to begin at approximately $28,706, which places it below the overall city median of $36,693. New graduates can expect a starting pay that does not fully reflect the average pay in the area, but there is potential for salary growth as professionals gain experience. Over the first few years, early-career specialists might progress to around $29,893, and ultimately work towards the median salary with proper skill development. Minneapolis presents a solid job market for new grads entering this field, particularly given the expected growth rate of 2.32% in the coming years, which indicates ongoing demand for skilled medical billing and coding professionals.
Career Earnings Timeline in Minneapolis
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 Minneapolis
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Minneapolis, MN typically start between $28,706 and $29,893 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $29,358 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $36,693 — 20.9% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Minnesota of $4,200 represents just 14.63% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($28,706/year) in Minneapolis. 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 Minneapolis
- 1Research the Minneapolis market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $28,706 to $29,893, 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 MN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Minneapolis, 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 Minneapolis for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Minneapolis'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 Minneapolis is $29,358 ( 102.27%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $28,706, experienced hygienists can earn up to $58,064.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$45,100
2025 BLS Actual
$28,055
2026 Current Est.
$28,706
2021–2027 Growth
+-34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Minneapolis (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $45,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,610 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,055 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,706 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29,372 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Minneapolis, MN grew -37.8% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $45,100 in 2021 to $28,055 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $29,372. New graduates entering the Minneapolis job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minneapolis 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 Minneapolis
Employers that commonly recruit new graduates in Minneapolis include third-party coding companies that offer structured mentorship programs as well as payer coding audit teams that hire CPC-A coders. Additionally, entry-level positions can be found within outpatient surgery centers and physician group practices, while inpatient coding roles typically require CCS certification. To enhance their earning potential, candidates should consider pursuing credentials such as the AAPC CPC or AHIMA CCS. With the shift toward remote work, new coders in Minneapolis should actively engage in continuous learning, especially in areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding, which are experiencing significant growth. Realistically, salaries for early-stage professionals could rise steadily within their first three years, especially with ongoing education and certification that align with industry demands.
More salary data for Minneapolis, MN:
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 Minneapolis. 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