Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Eau Claire, WI: $28,266 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Eau Claire, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $28,266 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Eau Claire's local price level (BEA RPP 92.8 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $30,460 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($29,453) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates considering a career as a medical billing and coding specialist in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, can expect an entry-level salary starting around $28,266 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the city's median annual salary of $29,453, signaling that while opportunities exist, new coders may face initial salary hurdles as they build experience. Entry-level professionals can aspire to advance from the lower end of the salary range to the median within a few years, with realistic salary increases as they gain proficiency and possibly earn relevant certifications. Given Eau Claire's growing healthcare sector and relatively low cost of living, the local market presents a reasonable opportunity for recent graduates to start their careers in medical billing and coding.
Career Earnings Timeline in Eau Claire
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 Eau Claire
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Eau Claire, WI typically start between $28,266 and $28,468 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $9,686 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $29,453 — 2.95% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Wisconsin of $3,500 represents just 12.38% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($28,266/year) in Eau Claire. 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 Eau Claire
- 1Research the Eau Claire market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $28,266 to $28,468, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Eau Claire, 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 Eau Claire for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Eau Claire'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 Eau Claire is $9,686 ( 34.27%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $28,266, experienced hygienists can earn up to $37,952.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$36,600
2025 BLS Actual
$27,625
2026 Current Est.
$28,266
2021–2027 Growth
+-21.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Eau Claire (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $27,625 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,266 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,922 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Eau Claire, WI grew -24.5% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $36,600 in 2021 to $27,625 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $28,922. New graduates entering the Eau Claire job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire
Opportunities for entry-level positions in Eau Claire primarily lie within hospital systems, outpatient centers, and third-party coding companies. These companies often seek candidates with CPC or CPC-A certifications from the AAPC, or CCS and/or CCS-P credentials from AHIMA, as these qualifications can enhance starting pay and increase employability. Continuous education in key coding systems, such as ICD-10-CM and CPT updates, is essential. Furthermore, recent trends indicate that remote work has become the norm for about 80% of medical coding roles, which adds flexibility for new graduates entering the field. In their first three years, coders can expect steady growth, particularly in high-demand areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding. By actively pursuing certifications and continuing education, new medical billing and coding specialists in WI can significantly enhance their skills and potential earnings in this evolving market.
More salary data for Eau Claire, WI:
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 Eau Claire. 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