Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Cedar City, UT: $19,834 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Cedar City, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $19,834 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cedar City's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $20,218 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($26,922) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the medical billing and coding field in Cedar City, UT, the starting financial landscape can present a mix of opportunities and challenges. New graduates can expect an entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in Cedar City around $19,834, which is significantly lower than the city's projected median salary of $26,922. This gap highlights the growth potential for early-career specialists, as consistent experience can transition them to the 25th percentile earning $23,901 within a few years. Given that the field is experiencing a projected annual growth rate of 2.32%, Cedar City remains a solid market for new graduates eager to establish themselves in the profession while they gain their credentials, knowledge, and experience.
About the Cedar City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cedar City
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 Cedar City
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Cedar City, UT typically start between $19,834 and $23,901 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $20,589 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $26,922 — 11.29% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Utah of $3,200 represents just 16.13% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($19,834/year) in Cedar City. 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 Cedar City
- 1Research the Cedar City market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $19,834 to $23,901, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cedar City, 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 Cedar City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cedar City'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 Cedar City is $20,589 ( 103.81%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $19,834, experienced hygienists can earn up to $40,423.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$15,418
2025 BLS Actual
$19,384
2026 Current Est.
$19,834
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Cedar City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15,418 | Actual |
| 2022 | $16,613 | Actual |
| 2023 | $18,378 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,678 | Actual |
| 2025 | $19,384 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19,834 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20,294 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Cedar City, UT grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $15,418 in 2021 to $19,384 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $20,294. New graduates entering the Cedar City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar City 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 Cedar City
New graduates interested in pursuing positions in Cedar City have various options for gaining relevant experience and improving their starting medical billing and coding specialist pay in UT. Many local employers include third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams, which actively seek CPC-A (apprentice) coders. These settings often offer structured mentorship, promoting career advancement. Supplemental certifications such as the AAPC CPC, AHIMA CCS, or even optional credentials like the CPMA can enhance starting salaries significantly. Given the current trend of remote work that has shifted approximately 80% of coding jobs to telecommuting, those who remain diligent about ongoing education—particularly with frequent updates to ICD-10-CM and CPT coding—will find themselves well-positioned for growth. In the first few years, dedicated entry-level coders in Cedar City can realistically aim for salaries in the $23,000 to $30,000 range as they gain proficiency and take on more complex coding tasks, especially in high-demand areas such as risk adjustment coding.
More salary data for Cedar City, UT:
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 Cedar City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cedar City 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