Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Watertown, MA: $34,204 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Watertown, MA earns a median $34,204/year (≈ $16.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $31,524 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Watertown, Massachusetts, the compensation landscape for medical billing and coding specialists reveals a median annual salary of $34,204 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national median of $30,349. The local salary range spans from $25,221 at the 10th percentile to $51,381 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse employment scenarios across inpatient and outpatient coding settings. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional cost factors, indicate a robust market for skilled professionals in this field. As Watertown continues to adapt to shifts in healthcare coding—particularly with the growing demand for risk adjustment and HCC coding—it shows potential for job growth and increased earnings for residents engaged in this essential sector.
About the Watertown Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25,221 | $12.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30,382 | $14.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $34,204 | $16.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,076 | $20.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,381 | $24.70 |
Median Salary Position
12.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, MA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,160 (2026 est.). At $34,204, the local median is 12.7% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Watertown Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Watertown median: $34,204/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $34,654 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | +12.70% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Watertown, MA earn a median of $34,204 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.70% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 1.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $34,654.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Watertown, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $34,204 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $31,524 — a 7.84% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$30,500
2025 BLS Actual
$33,428
2026 Current Est.
$34,204
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Watertown (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,885 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,256 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,428 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,204 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34,997 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $30,500 (2021) to $33,428 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $34,997 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,497 (14.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $25,221 – $30,382 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $30,382 – $34,204 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $34,204 – $42,076 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,076 – $51,381 |
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 Watertown
With seven medical billing and coding specialists employed in the area, Watertown presents unique opportunities and challenges for professionals considering their earning potential. The local cost of living index sits at 108.5, suggesting that while salaries are comparatively appealing, purchasing power may be somewhat constrained. Employers in physician group practices and inpatient coding departments often offer competitive pay, particularly for those with advanced credentials such as the CCS or CRC. Factors affecting pay variability include specialty focus, credential stacking, and the balance between productivity bonuses and remote work flexibility. Medical billing and coding specialists looking to maximize their earnings in Watertown should pursue relevant certifications, engage in continuing education on new coding practices, and be open to roles that leverage both in-office and remote capabilities to thrive in this evolving workforce.
More salary data for Watertown, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Watertown, MA in 2026?
Is Watertown, MA a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?
Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Watertown?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in Watertown?
How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in Watertown?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $33,428 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Watertown 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 Watertown 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