Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Bellevue, NE: $11,355 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Bellevue, NE job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $11,355 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Bellevue's local price level (BEA RPP 91.5 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $12,410 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($15,597) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field, the starting medical billing and coding specialist salary in Bellevue, NE, is projected at about $11,355 per year, significantly lower than the city median of $15,597. This discrepancy highlights the initial income challenges faced by entry-level professionals in the industry. Young coders can expect to see realistic salary advancement over the first three to five years, moving from the lower percentile at $11,355 to the 25th percentile at $13,247 as they gain experience and potentially certification. Given the 2.32% annual growth rate in this sector, Bellevue represents a viable market for recent graduates, especially considering the ongoing demand for healthcare billing professionals in a landscape increasingly shaped by remote work opportunities.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Bellevue
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 Bellevue
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Bellevue, NE typically start between $11,355 and $13,247 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $12,820 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $15,597 — 48.61% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Nebraska of $3,000 represents just 26.42% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($11,355/year) in Bellevue. 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 Bellevue
- 1Research the Bellevue market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $11,355 to $13,247, 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 NE often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Bellevue, 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 Bellevue for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Bellevue'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 Bellevue is $12,820 ( 112.90%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $11,355, experienced hygienists can earn up to $24,175.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$8,827
2025 BLS Actual
$11,098
2026 Current Est.
$11,355
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bellevue (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $8,827 | Actual |
| 2022 | $9,511 | Actual |
| 2023 | $10,522 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,206 | Actual |
| 2025 | $11,098 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $11,355 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $11,619 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Bellevue, NE grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $8,827 in 2021 to $11,098 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $11,619. New graduates entering the Bellevue job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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 Bellevue
Employers in Bellevue actively seek new grads, with third-party coding firms and payer coding audit teams being the most common hiring entities. These employers often provide structured mentorship for CPC-A (apprentice) coders. Outpatient settings and physician group practices can be stepping stones for entry-level roles, while hospital positions necessitate CCS credentials. To enhance starting pay in Nebraska, newcomers should consider obtaining key certifications offered by AAPC and AHIMA, such as the CPC for outpatient coding or CCS for inpatient services. Continuous education is vital, as staying updated on ICD-10-CM and quarterly CPT changes is essential in this field. As such, focusing on emerging areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding can provide additional opportunities for growth and higher compensation in the first few years.
More salary data for Bellevue, NE:
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 Bellevue. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bellevue 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