Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $20,118 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Sioux Falls, SD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $20,118 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 90.6 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $22,198 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($30,628) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates starting their careers as medical billing and coding specialists in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, can expect to earn an entry-level salary starting at approximately $20,118. This figure reflects a significant initial gap when compared to the median annual salary of $30,628 for experienced professionals in the area. For those just beginning their careers, the realistic progression can range from the P10 figure to the P25 salary of $23,662 in the first few years. Given the current job market in Sioux Falls, this entry-level position presents a solid opportunity for new coders looking to establish a foothold in this profession, particularly as the industry continues to grow.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux Falls
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 Sioux Falls
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Sioux Falls, SD typically start between $20,118 and $23,662 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $27,406 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $30,628 — 0.92% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in South Dakota of $3,000 represents just 14.91% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($20,118/year) in Sioux Falls. 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 Sioux Falls
- 1Research the Sioux Falls market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $20,118 to $23,662, 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 SD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Sioux Falls, 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 Sioux Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux Falls'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 Sioux Falls is $27,406 ( 136.23%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $20,118, experienced hygienists can earn up to $47,524.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$29,220
2025 BLS Actual
$19,662
2026 Current Est.
$20,118
2021–2027 Growth
+-29.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Sioux Falls (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $19,662 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20,118 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20,585 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux Falls, SD grew -32.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,220 in 2021 to $19,662 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $20,585. New graduates entering the Sioux Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls
There are several local organizations in Sioux Falls hiring new graduates in medical billing and coding roles. Third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams are excellent entry points, often providing mentorship to those with CPC-A credentials. Additionally, physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers frequently seek entry-level coders. Pursuing further credentials, such as an AAPC CPC for outpatient roles or AHIMA CCS for inpatient coding, can enhance earning potential and career advancement opportunities. The shift toward remote work has made continuous education vital, especially with the high demand for risk adjustment and Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) coding experts. Those entering the field can look forward to realistic salary growth over the first three years as they gain experience and proficiency in the necessary coding standards, including ICD-10-CM and the quarterly updates that accompany CPT codes.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
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 Sioux Falls. 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