Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Claremore, OK: $11,230 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Claremore, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $11,230 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Claremore's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $12,632 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($14,910) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the field of medical billing and coding in Claremore, Oklahoma, can expect a starting salary around $11,230, significantly lower than the overall median annual salary of $14,910 for this occupation in the area. This gap between initial pay and the city median reflects the typical trajectory that entry-level professionals experience as they build their skills and expertise over their first few years. As they gain experience, salaries may progress to approximately $12,795 at the 25th percentile and eventually approach the median, creating a pathway for growth. Overall, the market in Claremore presents moderate opportunities for newcomers in this profession, especially considering the projected 2.32% annual growth rate, which hints at a gradual increase in demand for medical billing and coding specialists in the region.
About the Claremore Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Claremore
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 Claremore
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Claremore, OK typically start between $11,230 and $12,795 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $10,840 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $14,910 — 50.87% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Oklahoma of $2,800 represents just 24.93% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($11,230/year) in Claremore. 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 Claremore
- 1Research the Claremore market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $11,230 to $12,795, 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 OK often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Claremore, 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 Claremore for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Claremore'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 Claremore is $10,840 ( 96.53%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $11,230, experienced hygienists can earn up to $22,070.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$8,730
2025 BLS Actual
$10,975
2026 Current Est.
$11,230
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Claremore (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $8,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $9,406 | Actual |
| 2023 | $10,405 | Actual |
| 2024 | $26,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $10,975 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $11,230 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $11,490 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Claremore, OK grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $8,730 in 2021 to $10,975 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $11,490. New graduates entering the Claremore job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Claremore 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 Claremore
Employers in Claremore seeking to hire entry-level medical billing and coding specialists often include third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams, which may offer structured mentorship for new coders holding certifications such as CPC-A. Additionally, local physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) also provide entry-level roles for CPC credentialed professionals. To maximize their starting pay in Oklahoma, aspiring coders should consider obtaining relevant credentials from recognized bodies such as AAPC or AHIMA. With a rapidly evolving industry landscape, particularly with the shift towards remote work post-2020 and the increased focus on risk adjustment and HCC coding, continuous professional development through ongoing education on ICD-10-CM and quarterly CPT updates is vital. Realistically, within their first three years, medical billing and coding specialists in Claremore can expect their salaries to grow steadily as they refine their expertise and adapt to the latest industry trends and demands.
More salary data for Claremore, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is medical billing and coding school worth it in Claremore?
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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 Claremore. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Claremore 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