Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Cottage Grove, MN: $17,112 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Cottage Grove, MN earns a median $17,112/year (≈ $8.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Cottage Grove's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $17,373 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Medical billing and coding specialists in Cottage Grove, Minnesota, can expect a median annual salary of $17,112 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $30,349. The salary range for this role varies from $12,616 at the 10th percentile to $25,703 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the nuances in job responsibility and specialization. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living and economic conditions. Specialists focusing on inpatient coding, particularly those with CCS credentials, typically command higher salaries compared to their outpatient counterparts or those working in risk adjustment and HCC coding. This disparity highlights the importance of specialty selection when considering career prospects in Cottage Grove’s market.
About the Cottage Grove Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $12,616 | $6.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14,537 | $6.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $17,112 | $8.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21,049 | $10.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25,703 | $12.36 |
Median Salary Position
43.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cottage Grove
In Cottage Grove, MN, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,087 (2026 est.). At $17,112, the local median is 43.62% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cottage Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cottage Grove Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Cottage Grove median: $17,112/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cottage Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $17,337 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -43.62% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Cottage Grove, MN earn a median of $17,112 per year (2026 est.), which is 43.62% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $17,337.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cottage Grove has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cottage Grove, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $17,112 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $17,373 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.53% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$15,259
2025 BLS Actual
$16,724
2026 Current Est.
$17,112
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Cottage Grove (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15,259 | Actual |
| 2022 | $15,429 | Actual |
| 2023 | $15,952 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,496 | Actual |
| 2025 | $16,724 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17,112 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17,509 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cottage Grove metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $15,259 (2021) to $16,724 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $17,509 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,250 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cottage Grove 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) | $12,616 – $14,537 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $14,537 – $17,112 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $17,112 – $21,049 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $21,049 – $25,703 |
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 Cottage Grove
Examining the local job market reveals that there are currently eight medical billing and coding specialists employed in Cottage Grove. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, professionals in this field must navigate a purchasing power that is slightly below the national average. The highest-paying employers in the area tend to be hospital inpatient coding departments and third-party coding companies, including remote work options. Variations in pay can largely be attributed to coding specialty, where CCS, CCC, or a combination of credentials can lead to higher earnings due to the complexity of the coding needed. To maximize pay in the Cottage Grove market, professionals should pursue multiple certifications, stay current with ICD-10-CM and CPT updates, and consider roles that offer productivity bonuses or remote work opportunities, which are becoming increasingly prominent in the coding landscape.
More salary data for Cottage Grove, MN:
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 $16,724 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove 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