Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Kentucky: $30,285 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median medical billing and coding specialist pay sits at $30,285/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $33,914 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Louisville/Jefferson County ($31,007), Ashland ($30,523), Louisville ($28,876).
The medical billing and coding specialist salary landscape in Kentucky reveals an average median pay of $30,285 for 2026, slightly below the national median of $30,349, reflecting a difference of -0.2%. Salaries vary across the state, with Louisville/Jefferson County leading at $31,726, while Murray represents the lowest at $25,347, creating a gap of $6,379. This disparity can be attributed to varying demand for healthcare services and cost of living differences in urban versus rural areas. Kentucky's requirements for medical billing and coding specialists are influenced by state licensing and scope of practice laws, though formal licensing is not mandated. The demand is driven by ongoing healthcare expansion, an aging population needing more services, and the increasing complexity of healthcare reimbursement processes. With a projected employment base of 2,788 specialists and a growth rate of 2.32%, the job market appears stable. Key cities to consider for employment opportunities include Ashland at $31,231, Louisville at $29,546, Lexington at $29,531, and Paducah at $27,257. Overall, while the salaries are slightly below national levels, the job outlook in Kentucky remains positive, offering opportunities across various metropolitan areas.
Kentucky Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $17,317 (lowest entry-level) to $46,212 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky medical billing and coding specialists earn 0.21% less than the national median ($-64/year difference).
Kentucky Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist salaries in Kentucky range from $22,335 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $43,130 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $30,285. The Kentucky median is $64 below the US national median of $30,349. The average hourly rate is $14.56/hr. Approximately 2,788 medical billing and coding specialists are employed across 21 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$45,866
2025 BLS Actual
$29,598
2026 Current Est.
$30,285
2021–2027 Growth
+-32.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Kentucky (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $45,866 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,141 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,442 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,337 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,598 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30,285 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30,987 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -35.5% from $45,866 (2021) to $29,598 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $30,987 by 2027 — a total increase of $-14,879 (-32.44%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky 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 Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Murray | $25,347 |
| Jeffersontown | $25,727 |
| Madisonville | $25,817 |
| Georgetown | $25,915 |
| Radcliff | $26,006 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for medical billing and coding specialists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ashland | $31,231 | 89.3 | $34,973 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $31,726 | 93.074 | $34,087 |
| Louisville | $29,546 | 89.3 | $33,086 |
| Lexington | $29,531 | 92.889 | $31,792 |
| Paducah | $27,257 | 86.084 | $31,663 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $22,335 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $30,285 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $43,130 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $31,726 |
| 2 | Ashland | $31,231 |
| 3 | Louisville | $29,546 |
| 4 | Lexington | $29,531 |
| 5 | Paducah | $27,257 |
| 6 | Owensboro | $26,943 |
| 7 | Independence | $26,886 |
| 8 | Florence | $26,854 |
| 9 | Covington | $26,740 |
| 10 | Nicholasville | $26,690 |
| 11 | Richmond | $26,684 |
| 12 | Bowling Green | $26,569 |
| 13 | Frankfort | $26,547 |
| 14 | Henderson | $26,503 |
| 15 | Hopkinsville | $26,409 |
| 16 | Elizabethtown | $26,397 |
| 17 | Radcliff | $26,006 |
| 18 | Georgetown | $25,915 |
| 19 | Madisonville | $25,817 |
| 20 | Jeffersontown | $25,727 |
| 21 | Murray | $25,347 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in Kentucky cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical billing and coding specialists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical billing and coding specialists.
Compare Cities in Kentucky
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical billing and coding specialists in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky medical billing and coding specialist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in Kentucky?
How many medical billing and coding specialists are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky 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 Kentucky. 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