Medical Billing Salary

Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Riverton, WY: $12,676 (2026)

Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Riverton, WY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $12,676 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Riverton's local price level (BEA RPP 95.84% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $13,232 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($15,747) within a few years of clinical practice.

$12,676
Starting Salary
$6.10/hr
Starting Hourly
$12,676
Entry Level
$15,747
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Entry Level Salary in Riverton, WY — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Riverton, WY medical billing and coding specialist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Riverton, Wyoming, new graduates entering the medical billing and coding profession can expect a starting medical billing and coding specialist salary of around $12,676, which places them on the lower end of the salary spectrum. Compared to the city's median annual salary of $15,747, entry-level positions show a significant gap that reflects the challenges of breaking into the field. However, with perseverance and experience, new graduates can realistically aspire to earn $14,096 after reaching the 25th percentile and may eventually advance to the median salary within their first 3-5 years, emphasizing the importance of gaining experience and credentials early on. Riverton's current market conditions suggest that securing entry-level roles is feasible, but new coders must be proactive in seeking opportunities to begin their careers.

About the Riverton Market

Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Riverton

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$12,676/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$14,096/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$15,747/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$19,544/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverton

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Riverton. The median salary is $15,747, compared to the national median of $30,349.$11.4K$16.5K$21.6K$26.8K$31.9K$12.7K10th Pctl$14.1K25th Pctl$15.7KMedian$19.5K75th Pctl$23.7K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Riverton, WY typically start between $12,676 and $14,096 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $11,015 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $15,74748.11% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical billing and coding specialist pay in the Riverton metro area.

Return on Investment

$2,800
Avg WY Program Cost
$12,676
Starting Salary
22.09%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average medical billing and coding program cost in Wyoming of $2,800 represents just 22.09% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($12,676/year) in Riverton. 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 Riverton

  • 1Research the Riverton market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $12,676 to $14,096, 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 WY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Riverton, 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 Riverton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Riverton'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 Riverton is $11,015 ( 86.90%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $12,676, experienced hygienists can earn up to $23,691.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2021 BLS Actual

$9,854

2025 BLS Actual

$12,389

2026 Current Est.

$12,676

2021–2027 Growth

+31.6%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Riverton (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Riverton. Baseline $9,854 in 2025, projected to $12,971 by 2027.$5.0K$13.5K$21.9K$30.4K$38.9K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$9.9K$10.6K$11.7K$34.0K$12.4K$12.7K$13.0K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$9,854Actual
2022$10,618Actual
2023$11,746Actual
2024$34,046Actual
2025$12,389Actual
2026(current)$12,676Estimated
2027$12,971Projected

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Riverton, WY grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $9,854 in 2021 to $12,389 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $12,971. New graduates entering the Riverton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverton metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Riverton

In this region, various employers actively hire fresh talent willing to start their careers in medical coding. Third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams often welcome CPC-A (apprentice) coders with structured mentorship programs. Smaller physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) typically offer entry-level roles for certified professional coders (CPC), while positions in hospital inpatient coding require more advanced credentials, like the CCS. To enhance starting pay and career prospects in Wyoming, obtaining nationally recognized credentials from AAPC or AHIMA is critical. New coders should consider certifications such as CPC or CPC-A for outpatient coding, along with specific training in ICD-10-CM, which increasingly plays a vital role in coding systems post-2020, given the shift to a predominantly remote work environment. In their first few years, coders can realistically expect salary growth as they gain experience and continue to update their skills, especially in high-demand areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding, providing numerous pathways for career advancement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for medical billing and coding specialists in Riverton in 2026?

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Riverton start at approximately $12,676/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $6.09/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do medical billing and coding specialist salaries grow in Riverton?

Most medical billing and coding specialists in Riverton progress from the entry-level salary of $12,676 to the area median of $15,747 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $23,691 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is medical billing and coding school worth it in Riverton?

With a starting salary of $12,676/year in Riverton and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new medical billing and coding specialists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new medical billing and coding specialists make right out of school in Riverton?

New medical billing and coding graduates in Riverton typically start near the 10th percentile at $12,676/year, or approximately $6.09/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in Wyoming?

To become a licensed medical billing and coding specialist in Wyoming, you typically need postsecondary certificate or associate degree in medical billing and coding from an accredited program, plus optional professional certification, then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Wyoming, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some medical billing and coding specialists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Wyoming

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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 Riverton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Riverton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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