Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Coventry, RI: $12,669 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Coventry, RI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $12,669 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Coventry's local price level (BEA RPP 100.5 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $12,606 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($17,406) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Starting a career as a medical billing and coding specialist in Coventry, RI, presents entry-level professionals with distinct salary expectations. In 2026, new graduates can anticipate starting salaries around $12,669, which is notably below the city median of $17,406. The salary trajectory for early-career coders suggests room for growth; individuals with foundational skills can progress through pay brackets, reaching $14,720 at the 25th percentile and aspiring towards the median within 3-5 years. Given the projected 2.32% annual growth rate in the field, Coventry appears to be a competitive market for new graduates entering this profession, particularly as the demand for medical coding continues to expand.
About the Coventry Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Coventry
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 Coventry
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Coventry, RI typically start between $12,669 and $14,720 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $13,985 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $17,406 — 42.65% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Rhode Island of $5,500 represents just 43.41% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($12,669/year) in Coventry. 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 Coventry
- 1Research the Coventry market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $12,669 to $14,720, 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 RI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Coventry, 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 Coventry for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Coventry'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 Coventry is $13,985 ( 110.39%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $12,669, experienced hygienists can earn up to $26,654.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$9,849
2025 BLS Actual
$12,382
2026 Current Est.
$12,669
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Coventry (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $9,849 | Actual |
| 2022 | $10,612 | Actual |
| 2023 | $11,739 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,236 | Actual |
| 2025 | $12,382 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $12,669 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $12,963 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Coventry, RI grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $9,849 in 2021 to $12,382 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $12,963. New graduates entering the Coventry job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coventry 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 Coventry
Employers in Coventry that commonly recruit entry-level medical billing and coding specialists include third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams that typically bring on certified apprentice coders (CPC-A) within structured mentorship programs. Additionally, physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgery centers often provide entry-level roles for new graduates, although positions in hospital inpatient coding may require a more advanced certification like the CCS. Credentials such as the AAPC’s CPC or AHIMA’s CCS-P not only increase employability but can also significantly elevate starting medical billing and coding specialist pay in RI. Continuous education in areas like ICD-10-CM and CPT updates is vital, as these change frequently. The shift to a predominantly remote work environment post-2020 has made it easier for new graduates to secure positions, and lucrative subspecialties like risk adjustment coding are burgeoning areas for expertise, promising promising salary growth in years one through three of their careers.
More salary data for Coventry, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for medical billing and coding specialists in Coventry in 2026?
How fast do medical billing and coding specialist salaries grow in Coventry?
Is medical billing and coding school worth it in Coventry?
What do new medical billing and coding specialists make right out of school in Coventry?
How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in Rhode Island?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Rhode Island
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 Coventry. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Coventry 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