Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Denver, CO: $36,343 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Denver, CO earns a median $36,343/year (≈ $17.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $34,357 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.4% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Denver, Colorado, the financial landscape for medical billing and coding specialists is promising, with a median annual salary projected at $36,343 for 2026. This figure is notably higher than the national average, which stands at $30,349, reflecting a competitive local job market. Salary expectations vary significantly, ranging from $28,385 at the 10th percentile to $57,078 at the 90th percentile. These insights come from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. For professionals navigating the credential stacking pathway—such as obtaining a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) designation, followed by a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and possibly adding a Risk Adjustment Certified Coder (CRC)—the potential lifetime earning increases are substantial, enhancing both job security and compensation potential in the Denver area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,385 | $13.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,153 | $15.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,343 | $17.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,886 | $22.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,078 | $27.44 |
Median Salary Position
19.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,693 (2026 est.). At $36,343, the local median is 19.75% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denver Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Denver median: $36,343/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $32,624 | +11.40% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +19.75% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Denver, CO earn a median of $36,343 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.75% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 11.40% above the Colorado state average of $32,624.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $36,343 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $34,357 — a 5.46% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$48,350
2025 BLS Actual
$35,519
2026 Current Est.
$36,343
2021–2027 Growth
+-23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Denver (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $48,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,519 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,343 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,186 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -26.5% from $48,350 (2021) to $35,519 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,186 by 2027 — a total increase of $-11,164 (-23.09%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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) | $28,385 – $32,153 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,153 – $36,343 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,343 – $45,886 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,886 – $57,078 |
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 Denver
As of now, there are approximately 870 medical billing and coding specialists employed in Denver, creating a robust job market that supports continued professional growth. The cost-of-living index in the area is 105.782, indicating higher living expenses compared to the national average. This economic context significantly impacts take-home pay, making it crucial for specialists to target employers that offer higher compensation, such as physician group practice coding offices and inpatient coding departments within hospitals. Factors influencing the salary spread range from specialization—where inpatient roles typically command higher wages—to credential stacking. Additionally, positions in compliance and audit subspecialties often include productivity bonuses, providing a further incentive. To maximize earnings, professionals should pursue in-demand skills, stay updated with coding standards like ICD-10-CM, and leverage remote work opportunities that have become standard in the field since the pandemic.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
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 $35,519 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Denver 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