Medical Billing Salary

Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Grove City, OH: $20,714 (2026)

Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Grove City, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $20,714 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Grove City's local price level (BEA RPP 90.79% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $22,838 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($28,011) within a few years of clinical practice.

$20,714
Starting Salary
$9.96/hr
Starting Hourly
$20,714
Entry Level
$28,011
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

For those entering the medical billing and coding field in Grove City, Ohio, the starting annual salary in 2026 is projected at $20,714. This entry-level position is significantly below the city's median salary of $28,011, showing a gap of nearly $7,300. New graduates can realistically expect to advance their earnings over three to five years, moving from the entry-level pay through the 25th percentile, which is $23,842, before eventually reaching the median. Given the local job market, Grove City offers a fair landscape for new graduates, even though they start at a lower rate than their national counterparts, where the expected entry-level pay is higher.

About the Grove City Market

Salary estimated from Ohio average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Grove City

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$20,714/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$23,842/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$28,011/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$34,500/yr

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

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grove City

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Grove City. The median salary is $28,011, compared to the national median of $30,349.$18.6K$25.0K$31.4K$37.9K$44.3K$20.7K10th Pctl$23.8K25th Pctl$28.0KMedian$34.5K75th Pctl$42.1K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Grove City, OH typically start between $20,714 and $23,842 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $21,435 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $28,0117.7% below the national median.

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

Return on Investment

$3,800
Avg OH Program Cost
$20,714
Starting Salary
18.35%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average medical billing and coding program cost in Ohio of $3,800 represents just 18.35% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($20,714/year) in Grove City. 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 Grove City

  • 1Research the Grove City market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $20,714 to $23,842, 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 Grove City, 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 Grove City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Grove City'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 Grove City is $21,435 ( 103.48%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $20,714, experienced hygienists can earn up to $42,149.

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

2021 BLS Actual

$16,102

2025 BLS Actual

$20,244

2026 Current Est.

$20,714

2021–2027 Growth

+31.6%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Grove City (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 Grove City. Baseline $16,102 in 2025, projected to $21,194 by 2027.$13.1K$18.4K$23.7K$29.0K$34.3K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$16.1K$17.4K$19.2K$31.3K$20.2K$20.7K$21.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$16,102Actual
2022$17,350Actual
2023$19,194Actual
2024$31,308Actual
2025$20,244Actual
2026(current)$20,714Estimated
2027$21,194Projected

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Grove City, OH grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $16,102 in 2021 to $20,244 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $21,194. New graduates entering the Grove City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

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

In Grove City, various employers provide opportunities for new medical billing and coding graduates. Third-party coding companies, payer coding audit teams, physician group practices, and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) actively seek candidates with the Certified Professional Coder-Apprentice (CPC-A) credential. To aid in career advancement, new coders can aim for certifications that enhance their salary potential, such as AAPC's CPC or CCS from AHIMA. With approximately 80% of positions transitioning to remote or work-from-home formats post-2020, entry-level professionals must remain nimble and committed to continuous learning, particularly with the ongoing updates to ICD-10-CM and CPT codes. As risk adjustment and Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) coding become increasingly essential in Medicare Advantage and ACA marketplaces, newly minted coders in their first few years can expect to grow their salaries steadily as they gain experience and more specialized knowledge in the field.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Grove City start at approximately $20,714/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 $9.96/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 Grove City?

Most medical billing and coding specialists in Grove City progress from the entry-level salary of $20,714 to the area median of $28,011 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $42,149 (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 Grove City?

With a starting salary of $20,714/year in Grove City 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 Grove City?

New medical billing and coding graduates in Grove City typically start near the 10th percentile at $20,714/year, or approximately $9.96/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 Ohio?

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

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 Grove City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Grove City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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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