Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Cleveland, OH: $23,448 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Cleveland, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $23,448 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cleveland's local price level (BEA RPP 93.9 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $24,965 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($36,765) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Starting a career as a medical billing and coding specialist in Cleveland, OH, comes with a competitive entry-level outlook. New graduates should realistically anticipate a starting salary around $23,448, a figure that reflects the minimum pay for this role in 2026. This starting figure represents a significant gap from the median annual salary of $36,765 in the region, highlighting the potential salary growth as one gains experience in the field. Over the first three to five years, it is realistic for new coders to progress from their entry salary to around $28,385 as they gain skills and experience, positioning them well in a market that offers a growing demand for health information specialists. With the projected growth rate of 2.32%, Cleveland remains a promising area for new graduates looking to build their careers in medical billing and coding.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cleveland
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 Cleveland
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Cleveland, OH typically start between $23,448 and $28,385 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $32,449 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $36,765 — 21.14% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Ohio of $3,800 represents just 16.21% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($23,448/year) in Cleveland. 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 Cleveland
- 1Research the Cleveland market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $23,448 to $28,385, 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 OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cleveland, 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 Cleveland for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cleveland'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 Cleveland is $32,449 ( 138.39%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $23,448, experienced hygienists can earn up to $55,897.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$36,930
2025 BLS Actual
$22,916
2026 Current Est.
$23,448
2021–2027 Growth
+-35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Cleveland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $22,916 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23,448 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23,992 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Cleveland, OH grew -37.9% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $36,930 in 2021 to $22,916 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $23,992. New graduates entering the Cleveland job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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 Cleveland
Employment opportunities for recent graduates in this field are diverse, especially as many local employers actively seek entry-level talent. Third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams are notable hiring venues, often providing mentorship opportunities for those holding the CPC-A credential. For entry-level positions with physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers, obtaining an AAPC Certified Professional Coder (CPC) designation can be advantageous. Additionally, pursuing AHIMA certifications, such as the CCS-P for outpatient coding, can further enhance starting pay in the market. With a surge in demand for remote positions due to industry shifts post-2020, entry-level coders have more flexible work options. In their first three years, new professionals can expect realistic salary growth in conjunction with continuous education—keeping up with the ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS code updates—to meet the needs of evolving coding specialties, particularly in risk adjustment and HCC coding, a sector experiencing rapid growth.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for medical billing and coding specialists in Cleveland in 2026?
How fast do medical billing and coding specialist salaries grow in Cleveland?
Is medical billing and coding school worth it in Cleveland?
What do new medical billing and coding specialists make right out of school in Cleveland?
How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in Ohio?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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 Cleveland. 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