Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in St. George, UT: $22,391 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the St. George, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $22,391 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out St. George's local price level (BEA RPP 97.3 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $23,007 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($32,005) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates stepping into the medical billing and coding field in St. George, UT, can expect an entry-level salary of about $22,391 in 2026, which is considerably lower than the city’s median annual salary for this role of $32,005. This gap of nearly $10,000 suggests that new entrants might struggle financially as they begin their careers. However, there's a clear pathway for salary progression within the first few years, moving from entry-level positions toward higher earning brackets as experience is gained and skills are honed. The growth trajectory appears favorable, as individuals can expect increases towards the 25th percentile ($26,273) and beyond, making St. George a viable market for newcomers in this profession amid a community of approximately 70 specialists currently employed.
Career Earnings Timeline in St. George
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 St. George
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in St. George, UT typically start between $22,391 and $26,273 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $26,557 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $32,005 — 5.46% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Utah of $3,200 represents just 14.29% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($22,391/year) in St. George. 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 St. George
- 1Research the St. George market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $22,391 to $26,273, 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 St. George, 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 St. George for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5St. George'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 St. George is $26,557 ( 118.61%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $22,391, experienced hygienists can earn up to $48,948.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$29,120
2025 BLS Actual
$21,883
2026 Current Est.
$22,391
2021–2027 Growth
+-21.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in St. George (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $21,883 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22,391 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22,910 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in St. George, UT grew -24.9% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,120 in 2021 to $21,883 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $22,910. New graduates entering the St. George job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. George 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 St. George
Employers in St. George actively seek new graduates for entry-level positions, including third-party coding firms and payer coding audit teams that hire CPC-A (apprentice) coders, providing structured mentorship. Additionally, opportunities can be found in physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers, which offer direct entry-level roles for newly certified coders. While hospitals typically require advanced credentials like the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) for inpatient roles, acquiring certifications from organizations like AAPC or AHIMA can significantly enhance starting pay in Utah. As medical coding transitions to around 80% remote work opportunities after 2020, it is essential for new coders to stay updated with ongoing training in ICD-10-CM and CPT updates. Realistic salary growth for entry-level specialists in St. George could see individuals advance through their first few years with consistent increases in compensation, especially if they pursue specialties such as risk adjustment and HCC coding, which are currently seeing pronounced demand in the healthcare coding market.
More salary data for St. George, 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 St. George. 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