Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Arkansas: $25,302 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median medical billing and coding specialist pay sits at $25,302/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $29,116 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rogers ($28,750), Springdale ($28,729), Fayetteville ($28,287).
In Arkansas, the average median salary for medical billing and coding specialists in 2026 is projected to be $25,302, which is significantly lower than the national median of $30,349, reflecting a gap of 16.6%. The highest paying city is Rogers at $29,417, while Texarkana offers the lowest salary at $20,562, creating a difference of $8,855. This variation can be attributed to local demand, cost of living, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in certain areas. In terms of regulatory context, Arkansas has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that might affect job roles and compensation. The demand for trained specialists continues to rise, driven by an increasing need for accurate coding and billing in healthcare settings. As for job prospects, the state is expected to see a growth rate of 2.32% annually, indicating steady demand for professionals in this field. Key cities such as Springdale and Fayetteville offer competitive salaries of $29,396 and $28,943, respectively, while Little Rock and Hot Springs follow with $24,794 and $24,468. Overall, the outlook in Arkansas for medical billing and coding specialists suggests incremental growth with regional disparities in compensation.
Arkansas Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $15,978 (lowest entry-level) to $46,153 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas medical billing and coding specialists earn 16.63% less than the national median ($-5,047/year difference).
Arkansas Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist salaries in Arkansas range from $20,174 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $38,675 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $25,302. The Arkansas median is $5,047 below the US national median of $30,349. The average hourly rate is $12.16/hr. Approximately 1,331 medical billing and coding specialists are employed across 21 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$41,434
2025 BLS Actual
$24,728
2026 Current Est.
$25,302
2021–2027 Growth
+-37.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Arkansas (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $41,434 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,057 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,273 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,683 | Actual |
| 2025 | $24,728 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25,302 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25,889 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -40.3% from $41,434 (2021) to $24,728 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $25,889 by 2027 — a total increase of $-15,545 (-37.52%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Texarkana | $20,562 |
| Fort Smith | $21,970 |
| Jonesboro | $22,598 |
| Van Buren | $22,712 |
| Bryant | $23,120 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for medical billing and coding specialists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers | $29,417 | 86.9 | $33,852 |
| Springdale | $29,396 | 86.9 | $33,827 |
| Fayetteville | $28,943 | 91.353 | $31,683 |
| Hot Springs | $24,468 | 85.73 | $28,541 |
| North Little Rock | $24,428 | 86.9 | $28,110 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $20,174 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $25,302 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $38,675 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rogers | $29,417 |
| 2 | Springdale | $29,396 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | $28,943 |
| 4 | Little Rock | $24,794 |
| 5 | Hot Springs | $24,468 |
| 6 | North Little Rock | $24,428 |
| 7 | Jacksonville | $24,291 |
| 8 | Conway | $24,267 |
| 9 | Bentonville | $24,172 |
| 10 | Benton | $23,971 |
| 11 | Paragould | $23,902 |
| 12 | Pine Bluff | $23,883 |
| 13 | Sherwood | $23,773 |
| 14 | Russellville | $23,647 |
| 15 | Cabot | $23,541 |
| 16 | Searcy | $23,295 |
| 17 | Bryant | $23,120 |
| 18 | Van Buren | $22,712 |
| 19 | Jonesboro | $22,598 |
| 20 | Fort Smith | $21,970 |
| 21 | Texarkana | $20,562 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical billing and coding specialists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical billing and coding specialists.
Explore More Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical billing and coding specialists in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas medical billing and coding specialist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in Arkansas?
How many medical billing and coding specialists are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for medical billing and coding specialists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical billing and coding specialist compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical billing and coding specialistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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