Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Tucson, AZ: $29,257 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Tucson, AZ earns a median $29,257/year (≈ $14.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Tucson's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $30,194 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median salary of $29,257 in 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Tucson, Arizona, experience slightly lower compensation than the national median of $30,349. These professionals have a salary range from $21,216 at the lower end (P10) to $41,387 for those at the higher end (P90). Credential stacking is a vital pathway for career advancement in this field. Obtaining certifications such as Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) can lead to increased lifetime earnings, particularly in high-demand areas like inpatient coding, which often commands higher salaries. The data presented stems from the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, providing a comprehensive view of the local job market dynamics in Tucson.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21,216 | $10.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,418 | $11.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $29,257 | $14.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33,768 | $16.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41,387 | $19.90 |
Median Salary Position
3.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tucson
In Tucson, AZ, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,171 (2026 est.). At $29,257, the local median is 3.6% below the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in Tucson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tucson Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Tucson median: $29,257/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tucson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $27,040 | +8.20% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | -3.60% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Tucson, AZ earn a median of $29,257 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.60% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 8.20% above the Arizona state average of $27,040.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tucson has a cost of living 3.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tucson, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 96.896 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $29,257 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $30,194 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.2% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,850
2025 BLS Actual
$28,594
2026 Current Est.
$29,257
2021–2027 Growth
+-20.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Tucson (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,594 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29,257 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29,936 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tucson metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -24.5% from $37,850 (2021) to $28,594 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $29,936 by 2027 — a total increase of $-7,914 (-20.91%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tucson 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $21,216 – $23,418 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,418 – $29,257 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $29,257 – $33,768 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $33,768 – $41,387 |
MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in Tucson
In Tucson, 530 medical billing and coding specialists are employed, reflecting a solid job presence in this profession. The local cost of living index stands at 96.896, which is below the national average and can enhance the purchasing power of salaries here. Among local employers, physician group practices and hospitals typically offer the highest pay, especially in inpatient coding settings. The wide salary range reflects various factors, including specialization levels, credential stacking, and productivity bonuses that influence overall compensation. To maximize earnings in this market, professionals should focus on acquiring advanced certifications, staying updated with the latest coding practices like ICD-10-CM, and exploring remote work opportunities, which have grown significantly post-pandemic. Engaging in continuous education, particularly in high-growth areas like risk adjustment coding, can further enhance salary potential in Tucson's competitive landscape.
More salary data for Tucson, AZ:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $28,594 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Tucson metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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