Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in College Station, TX: $17,738 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the College Station, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $17,738 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out College Station's local price level (BEA RPP 91.0 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $19,503 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($26,349) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates entering the medical billing and coding specialist field in College Station, Texas, should expect a starting medical billing and coding specialist salary of around $17,738 in 2026. This entry-level pay is significantly lower than the city median of $26,349, highlighting a clear gap that recent grads will need to bridge over time. However, advancements are possible as professionals gain experience, moving from the lower P10 bracket through to the P25 at $21,228, and ultimately reaching the median. Given the projected annual growth rate of 2.32%, College Station appears to be a reasonable market for new grads, offering a foundation for future career development in this burgeoning field.
Career Earnings Timeline in College Station
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 College Station
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in College Station, TX typically start between $17,738 and $21,228 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $20,184 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $26,349 — 13.18% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Texas of $3,200 represents just 18.04% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($17,738/year) in College Station. 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 College Station
- 1Research the College Station market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $17,738 to $21,228, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in College Station, 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 College Station for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5College Station'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 College Station is $20,184 ( 113.79%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $17,738, experienced hygienists can earn up to $37,922.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$27,390
2025 BLS Actual
$17,336
2026 Current Est.
$17,738
2021–2027 Growth
+-33.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in College Station (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $27,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $17,336 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17,738 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18,150 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in College Station, TX grew -36.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $27,390 in 2021 to $17,336 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $18,150. New graduates entering the College Station job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the College Station 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 College Station
Hospital systems, outpatient facilities, and coding companies in College Station actively recruit new graduates. Potential employers range from third-party coding firms and payer audit teams that value candidates with AAPC CPC-A credentials, to larger physician practices that offer positions for beginner coders. Continuing education is crucial; obtaining certifications from AAPC or AHIMA can enhance pay prospects significantly. New professionals should be aware of the growing importance of risk adjustment coding, especially in the context of Medicare and insurance markets. With about 80% of medical coding roles now shifting to remote work, it’s vital for newcomers to stay updated on ICD-10-CM and CPT coding changes. A proactive approach to learning will be essential in the first few years, as many in this profession can realistically aim for salary growth that reflects the evolving demands of healthcare coding.
More salary data for College Station, TX:
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 College Station. 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