Medical Billing Salary

Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in North Providence, RI: $13,117 (2026)

Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the North Providence, RI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $13,117 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out North Providence's local price level (BEA RPP 100.51% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $13,052 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($16,972) within a few years of clinical practice.

$13,117
Starting Salary
$6.30/hr
Starting Hourly
$13,117
Entry Level
$16,972
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Entry Level Salary in North Providence, RI — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
North Providence, RI medical billing and coding specialist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In North Providence, the starting medical billing and coding specialist salary is projected to begin at $13,117 in 2026, which may not meet the expectations of many new graduates. While the median annual salary for this role in the area is estimated at $16,972, this demonstrates a significant gap that new entrants into the field will need to navigate. Career growth in the first few years can offer optimism, as specialists can progress from the starting level to approximately $14,864 within a couple of years, ultimately working toward the median salary. Given the overall job growth rate of 2.32% annually for this position, North Providence presents a reasonable market for fresh graduates seeking to establish their careers in medical billing and coding.

About the North Providence Market

Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in North Providence

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$13,117/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$14,864/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$16,972/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$21,310/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Providence

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in North Providence. The median salary is $16,972, compared to the national median of $30,349.$11.8K$16.8K$21.8K$26.9K$31.9K$13.1K10th Pctl$14.9K25th Pctl$17.0KMedian$21.3K75th Pctl$26.2K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in North Providence, RI typically start between $13,117 and $14,864 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $13,087 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $16,97244.08% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical billing and coding specialist pay in the North Providence metro area.

Return on Investment

$5,500
Avg RI Program Cost
$13,117
Starting Salary
41.93%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average medical billing and coding program cost in Rhode Island of $5,500 represents just 41.93% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($13,117/year) in North Providence. 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 North Providence

  • 1Research the North Providence market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $13,117 to $14,864, 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 North Providence, 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 North Providence for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5North Providence'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 North Providence is $13,087 ( 99.77%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $13,117, experienced hygienists can earn up to $26,204.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2021 BLS Actual

$10,197

2025 BLS Actual

$12,820

2026 Current Est.

$13,117

2021–2027 Growth

+31.6%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in North Providence (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in North Providence. Baseline $10,197 in 2025, projected to $13,422 by 2027.$4.3K$14.6K$24.9K$35.2K$45.5K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$10.2K$11.0K$12.2K$39.6K$12.8K$13.1K$13.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$10,197Actual
2022$10,987Actual
2023$12,155Actual
2024$39,625Actual
2025$12,820Actual
2026(current)$13,117Estimated
2027$13,422Projected

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in North Providence, RI grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $10,197 in 2021 to $12,820 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $13,422. New graduates entering the North Providence job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Providence metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 North Providence

Employers in North Providence tend to be quite receptive to hiring new graduates, particularly those from healthcare training programs. Various organizations, including third-party coding firms and payer coding audit teams, often look for those with AAPC's CPC-A certification, offering structured mentorship that is advantageous for starting coders. Roles in physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgery centers typically require entry-level coding certifications as well. For those focusing on inpatient coding, credentials such as AHIMA's CCS can also prove beneficial. To improve starting pay in RI, additional certifications like CRC, CPMA, or CIC can enhance a candidate's marketability. In the first three years of their careers, new coders are encouraged to stay updated with ICD-10-CM guidelines and keep abreast of the quarterly CPT updates as the industry has moved toward a remote work standard post-2020. As risk adjustment and HCC coding become increasingly pivotal, new coders entering North Providence can realistically anticipate gradual salary growth as they accumulate hands-on experience and continue pursuing relevant credentials.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for medical billing and coding specialists in North Providence in 2026?

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in North Providence start at approximately $13,117/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $6.31/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do medical billing and coding specialist salaries grow in North Providence?

Most medical billing and coding specialists in North Providence progress from the entry-level salary of $13,117 to the area median of $16,972 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $26,204 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is medical billing and coding school worth it in North Providence?

With a starting salary of $13,117/year in North Providence and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new medical billing and coding specialists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new medical billing and coding specialists make right out of school in North Providence?

New medical billing and coding graduates in North Providence typically start near the 10th percentile at $13,117/year, or approximately $6.31/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in Rhode Island?

To become a licensed medical billing and coding specialist in Rhode Island, you typically need postsecondary certificate or associate degree in medical billing and coding from an accredited program, plus optional professional certification, then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Rhode Island, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some medical billing and coding specialists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Rhode Island

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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 North Providence. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for North Providence is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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