Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Erie, PA: $20,343 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Erie, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $20,343 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Erie's local price level (BEA RPP 91.0 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $22,367 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($25,305) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the field as medical billing and coding specialists in Erie, Pennsylvania, the starting pay can be quite modest. In 2026, these entry-level positions will see salaries beginning around $20,343, making the initial earning potential significantly lower than the city median of $25,305. This is a gap of nearly $5,000, reflecting the reality that new entrants typically earn below the median as they build experience. However, with a growth trajectory from the entry-level salary to $21,857 at the 25th percentile and potentially reaching the median within the first three to five years, there are opportunities for upward movement in this career. Considering a growth rate of 2.32% annually, Erie could provide a reasonable market for fresh graduates looking to establish themselves in medical billing and coding.
Career Earnings Timeline in Erie
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 Erie
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Erie, PA typically start between $20,343 and $21,857 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $20,629 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $25,305 — 16.62% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Pennsylvania of $5,500 represents just 27.04% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($20,343/year) in Erie. 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 Erie
- 1Research the Erie market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $20,343 to $21,857, 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 PA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Erie, 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 Erie for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Erie'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 Erie is $20,629 ( 101.41%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $20,343, experienced hygienists can earn up to $40,972.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$28,230
2025 BLS Actual
$19,882
2026 Current Est.
$20,343
2021–2027 Growth
+-26.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Erie (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $19,882 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20,343 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20,815 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Erie, PA grew -29.6% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $28,230 in 2021 to $19,882 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $20,815. New graduates entering the Erie job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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 Erie
Employers in Erie that focus on hiring entry-level medical billing and coding specialists include third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams, which often bring in CPC-A (apprentice) coders alongside structured mentorship programs. For those looking to break into physician group practices or outpatient ambulatory surgical centers, entry-level roles are also available. Advancing credentials can significantly influence starting medical billing and coding specialist pay in PA; relevant certifications from AAPC, such as CPC or CPC-A, or AHIMA's CCS and CCS-P, can lead to better compensation. In the first three years, aspiring coders should prioritize continuous learning to keep up with the evolving industry landscape, particularly with the increasing prevalence of remote work and the specialized growth in risk adjustment and HCC coding. Given this context, realistic salary growth expectations within the initial years can depend heavily on the individual’s initiative to pursue further education and optimize networking opportunities in the region.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
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 Erie. 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