Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Scranton, PA: $21,952 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Scranton, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $21,952 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Scranton's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $23,464 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($25,554) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Scranton, the projected starting medical billing and coding specialist salary for 2026 stands at $21,952, which places early-career professionals at a level below the city’s median annual salary of $25,554. This presents a significant gap that entry-level coders should anticipate early in their careers. New graduates can expect gradual growth as they gain experience, with salaries likely increasing toward the P25 figure of $22,759 within the first few years. For those entering the workforce now, Scranton offers a competitive market, though aspiring coders should be prepared for an entry-level pay range that is notably lower compared to the national average of $30,349, revealing a potential challenge as they set out on their professional journey.
Career Earnings Timeline in Scranton
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 Scranton
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Scranton, PA typically start between $21,952 and $22,759 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $16,349 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $25,554 — 15.8% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Pennsylvania of $5,500 represents just 25.05% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($21,952/year) in Scranton. 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 Scranton
- 1Research the Scranton market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $21,952 to $22,759, 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 Scranton, 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 Scranton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Scranton'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 Scranton is $16,349 ( 74.48%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $21,952, experienced hygienists can earn up to $38,301.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$28,720
2025 BLS Actual
$21,454
2026 Current Est.
$21,952
2021–2027 Growth
+-21.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Scranton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28,720 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $21,454 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21,952 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22,461 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Scranton, PA grew -25.3% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $28,720 in 2021 to $21,454 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $22,461. New graduates entering the Scranton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scranton 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 Scranton
For those seeking opportunities as new grad medical billing and coding specialists in PA, various employers offer roles that can significantly influence starting pay. Third-party coding companies and payer audit teams typically hire new coders with CPC-A credentials, providing structured mentorship alongside experienced professionals. Additionally, physician group practices and outpatient Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) often present entry-level positions, while hospital inpatient coding requires the CCS credential. To enhance salary prospects in Pennsylvania, obtaining certifications from recognized organizations like AAPC and AHIMA is advisable, particularly in fields like risk adjustment and HCC coding, which have seen substantial growth post-2020 as the workforce shifted towards remote environments. Entry-level professionals can reasonably anticipate salary increases in their first few years, depending on the path they choose, the continuing education they pursue, and the nuances of the coding specialties they decide to enter.
More salary data for Scranton, 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 Scranton. 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