Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Pleasant Grove, UT: $19,919 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Pleasant Grove, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $19,919 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pleasant Grove's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $20,305 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($26,048) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the realm of medical billing and coding in Pleasant Grove, Utah, the starting medical billing and coding specialist salary is projected at $19,919 in 2026. This entry-level wage reflects a noticeable gap compared to the city’s overall median salary of $26,048. Early-career professionals can anticipate steady growth, moving from this initial figure up to $22,076 at the 25th percentile and reaching the median salary within their first three to five years. Given these figures, Pleasant Grove presents a relatively stable market for new graduates eager to establish their careers in this industry, although it may take time to bridge the gap to more competitive salaries found in larger metropolitan areas.
About the Pleasant Grove Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pleasant Grove
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 Pleasant Grove
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Pleasant Grove, UT typically start between $19,919 and $22,076 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $20,047 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $26,048 — 14.17% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Utah of $3,200 represents just 16.07% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($19,919/year) in Pleasant Grove. 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 Pleasant Grove
- 1Research the Pleasant Grove market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $19,919 to $22,076, 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 Pleasant Grove, 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 Pleasant Grove for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pleasant Grove'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 Pleasant Grove is $20,047 ( 100.64%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $19,919, experienced hygienists can earn up to $39,966.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$15,484
2025 BLS Actual
$19,467
2026 Current Est.
$19,919
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Pleasant Grove (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15,484 | Actual |
| 2022 | $16,684 | Actual |
| 2023 | $18,457 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,841 | Actual |
| 2025 | $19,467 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19,919 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20,381 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Pleasant Grove, UT grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $15,484 in 2021 to $19,467 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $20,381. New graduates entering the Pleasant Grove job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pleasant Grove 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 Pleasant Grove
In the Pleasant Grove area, employers looking to hire new medical billing and coding specialists typically include third-party coding companies, payer coding audit teams, physician group practices, and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). Roles for entry-level coders are often open to apprentices holding credentials such as AAPC's CPC-A or AHIMA's CCS. Aspiring coders should consider obtaining additional certifications to enhance their qualifications and salary potential. As remote work in medical coding becomes the norm—approximately 80% of positions transitioned that way post-2020—continuous education remains vital due to frequent ICD-10-CM and CPT updates. Focusing on in-demand areas such as risk adjustment and Hierarchical Condition Category (HCC) coding can significantly impact career growth. New coders can realistically expect gradual salary increases within their first few years in the field, fostering a promising career path in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Pleasant Grove, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for medical billing and coding specialists in Pleasant Grove in 2026?
How fast do medical billing and coding specialist salaries grow in Pleasant Grove?
Is medical billing and coding school worth it in Pleasant Grove?
What do new medical billing and coding specialists make right out of school in Pleasant Grove?
How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in Utah?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Utah
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 Pleasant Grove. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pleasant Grove 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