Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Providence, RI: $25,554 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Providence, RI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $25,554 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Providence's local price level (BEA RPP 101.8 — 2% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $25,109 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($36,812) 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 Providence, RI, the starting pay is projected to be around $25,554 in 2026. This entry-level salary is significantly lower than the overall city median of $36,812, highlighting a notable gap for those just starting their careers. However, within the first three to five years, the trajectory can be promising, moving from an entry-level position to the first quartile salary of $28,925 and eventually aligning closer to the median as professionals acquire experience and potentially advance their skills. The current job market in Providence appears to favor those pursuing this career, as the demand for healthcare services remains strong, providing ample opportunities for new coders to establish their presence in the industry.
Career Earnings Timeline in Providence
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 Providence
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Providence, RI typically start between $25,554 and $28,925 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $24,617 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $36,812 — 21.3% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Rhode Island of $5,500 represents just 21.52% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($25,554/year) in 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 Providence
- 1Research the Providence market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $25,554 to $28,925, 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 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 Providence for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Providence'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 Providence is $24,617 ( 96.33%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $25,554, experienced hygienists can earn up to $50,171.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$36,120
2025 BLS Actual
$24,975
2026 Current Est.
$25,554
2021–2027 Growth
+-27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Providence (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $24,975 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25,554 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26,147 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Providence, RI grew -30.9% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $36,120 in 2021 to $24,975 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $26,147. New graduates entering the Providence job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Providence 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 Providence
New graduates can find employment with various healthcare organizations in Providence, including physician group practices, outpatient surgical centers, and third-party coding companies. Many of these employers are increasingly open to hiring entry-level candidates and providing mentorship, especially those with AAPC CPC-A or AHIMA certifications. To enhance their starting medical billing and coding specialist salary in Providence, new graduates are encouraged to pursue additional credentials like the CCS for inpatient coding or specialize in areas with high growth, such as risk adjustment and HCC coding. With about 80% of coding roles shifting to remote or work-from-home positions post-2020, a continuous commitment to professional development through updates in ICD-10-CM and quarterly CPT changes is crucial. Realistically, coders can expect salary growth of around 2.32% annually, depending on their focus areas and ability to adapt to emerging trends in this evolving field.
More salary data for Providence, RI:
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 Providence. 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