Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Van Buren, AR: $22,712 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Van Buren, AR earns a median $22,712/year (≈ $10.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Van Buren's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $26,136 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Medical billing and coding specialists in Van Buren, Arkansas, can anticipate a median annual salary of $22,712 in 2026. This figure reflects local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, and highlights a salary range from $18,051 at the 10th percentile to $34,693 at the 90th percentile. Comparatively, the national median salary for similar roles stands significantly higher at $30,349, indicating a substantial regional pay gap of 25.16%. With the rise of remote work options, the geographic landscape for compensation has expanded, enabling professionals to leverage opportunities beyond local boundaries. However, understanding the local market dynamics is essential, especially in a small employment pool where only five medical billing and coding specialists work.
About the Van Buren Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18,051 | $8.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20,161 | $9.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $22,712 | $10.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28,512 | $13.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34,693 | $16.68 |
Median Salary Position
25.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Van Buren
In Van Buren, AR, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,642 (2026 est.). At $22,712, the local median is 25.16% below the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in Van Buren: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Van Buren Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Van Buren median: $22,712/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Van Buren Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $24,474 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -25.16% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Van Buren, AR earn a median of $22,712 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.16% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 7.20% below the Arkansas state average of $24,474.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Van Buren has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Van Buren, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $22,712 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $26,136 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$20,252
2025 BLS Actual
$22,197
2026 Current Est.
$22,712
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Van Buren (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $20,252 | Actual |
| 2022 | $20,478 | Actual |
| 2023 | $21,173 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,265 | Actual |
| 2025 | $22,197 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22,712 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23,239 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Van Buren metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $20,252 (2021) to $22,197 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $23,239 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,987 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Van Buren 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) | $18,051 – $20,161 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $20,161 – $22,712 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $22,712 – $28,512 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $28,512 – $34,693 |
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 Van Buren
In Van Buren, the job market for medical billing and coding specialists reflects the broader economic landscape, as evidenced by the area’s cost-of-living index of 86.9, which suggests that wages stretch further than in many other regions. Local employers range from physician group practices to third-party coding firms, including remote positions that often offer better rates. The salary variability can be attributed to multiple factors such as coding specialty, credentialing (e.g., CPC, CCS, CRC), and the complexities of the coding tasks involved. Additionally, those with expertise in risk adjustment coding may command higher salaries due to the growing demand for such skills. For professionals in the area seeking to maximize their medical billing and coding specialist pay in Van Buren, enhancing credentials, pursuing remote opportunities, and focusing on high-demand coding niches are practical strategies to consider.
More salary data for Van Buren, AR:
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 $22,197 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Van Buren 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
Salary data for Van Buren is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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