Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Boston, MA: $35,881 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Boston, MA earns a median $35,881/year (≈ $17.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Boston's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.3), that paycheck buys what $33,142 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a medical billing and coding specialist in Boston can expect to earn a median annual salary of $35,881, revealing stronger compensation compared to the national median of $30,349. The salary range for this role in the city spans from $27,026 at the 10th percentile to $48,818 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Achieving higher pay often relates to credential stacking; earning credentials such as the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), or Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) can significantly enhance lifetime earnings and career prospects. As Boston's healthcare industry continues to grow, skilled professionals proficient in coding systems including ICD-10-CM and CPT are well-positioned for rewarding opportunities in various settings, from hospitals to outpatient clinics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,026 | $12.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29,175 | $14.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,881 | $17.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,806 | $21.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,818 | $23.47 |
Median Salary Position
18.23% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boston
In Boston, MA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,792 (2026 est.). At $35,881, the local median is 18.23% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boston Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Boston median: $35,881/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $34,667 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +18.23% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Boston, MA earn a median of $35,881 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.23% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 3.50% above the Massachusetts state average of $34,667.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boston has a cost of living 8.27% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boston, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.266 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $35,881 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $33,142 — a 7.63% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$59,210
2025 BLS Actual
$35,067
2026 Current Est.
$35,881
2021–2027 Growth
+-38.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Boston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $59,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,067 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,881 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,713 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boston metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -40.8% from $59,210 (2021) to $35,067 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,713 by 2027 — a total increase of $-22,497 (-38.00%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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) | $27,026 – $29,175 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $29,175 – $35,881 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,881 – $44,806 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,806 – $48,818 |
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 Boston
Boston's medical billing and coding job market shows robustness with approximately 2,630 professionals currently employed in this field. Given the cost-of-living index at 108.266, a higher pay scale is necessary to maintain a reasonable standard of living in the city. Employers that may offer competitive salaries include hospital inpatient coding departments, physician group practices, and third-party coding companies that support remote work, which has become increasingly common. The disparity in salaries can often be attributed to factors like specialization, skillset escalation through additional certifications, and the nature of the coding tasks performed. High-demand areas, such as risk adjustment coding for Medicare Advantage plans, tend to pay premiums, along with potential bonuses for high productivity. To maximize earnings in Boston, aspiring medical coding professionals should consider obtaining higher-level certifications and gaining expertise in specialties that are critical to the evolving healthcare landscape, ensuring a strong foothold in this competitive job market.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
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 $35,067 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Boston 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