Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Albany, OR: $24,517 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Albany, OR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $24,517 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Albany's local price level (BEA RPP 102.6 — 3% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $23,896 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($34,142) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Albany, Oregon, new graduates entering the field of medical billing and coding can realistically expect starting salaries around $24,517 in 2026. This figure represents a significant gap when compared to the city’s median annual salary of $34,142. Over the first three to five years in this profession, entry-level specialists can anticipate gradual salary growth, climbing from the initial earnings towards the 25th percentile mark of $28,639, and eventually reaching the median. With the local job market demonstrating openness to new entrants, Albany presents a favorable environment for those beginning their careers in medical billing and coding.
About the Albany Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Albany
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 Albany
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Albany, OR typically start between $24,517 and $28,639 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $28,391 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $34,142 — 12.5% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Oregon of $4,500 represents just 18.35% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($24,517/year) in Albany. 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 Albany
- 1Research the Albany market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $24,517 to $28,639, 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 OR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Albany, 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 Albany for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Albany'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 Albany is $28,391 ( 115.80%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $24,517, experienced hygienists can earn up to $52,908.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$19,059
2025 BLS Actual
$23,961
2026 Current Est.
$24,517
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Albany (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19,059 | Actual |
| 2022 | $20,535 | Actual |
| 2023 | $22,718 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,969 | Actual |
| 2025 | $23,961 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24,517 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25,086 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Albany, OR grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $19,059 in 2021 to $23,961 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $25,086. New graduates entering the Albany job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany 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 Albany
As aspiring medical billing and coding professionals embark on their careers in Albany, they will likely find employment opportunities with third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams that actively hire CPC-A (apprentice) coders. Positions within physician group practices and outpatient Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) also cater to entry-level candidates seeking to obtain relevant experience. To enhance starting medical billing and coding specialist pay in OR, credentials from AAPC or AHIMA can be instrumental; certifications such as CPC or CPC-A for outpatient coding, or CCS for inpatient coding, provide a competitive edge. Career strategies for the first few years should include continuous education, particularly in regards to the evolving ICD-10-CM and the quarterly updates to CPT code sets. The shift towards approximately 80% remote work post-2020 has increased accessibility to ongoing learning, particularly in high-growth areas such as risk adjustment and HCC coding, ensuring that new professionals can build a solid foundation for salary growth in their early careers.
More salary data for Albany, OR:
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 Albany. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Albany 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