Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Duluth, MN: $30,753 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Duluth, MN earns a median $30,753/year (≈ $14.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Duluth's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $34,644 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 77.4% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Duluth, Minnesota, are projected to have a median annual earning of $30,753, which is slightly above the national median of $30,349. The salary range varies from $27,619 at the 10th percentile to $41,565 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity in job roles and responsibilities within the medical coding field. Credential stacking plays a significant role in maximizing earnings potential; professionals holding multiple certifications such as CPC (Certified Professional Coder), CCS (Certified Coding Specialist), and CRC (Certified Risk Adjustment Coder) can command higher pay due to their comprehensive skill sets. This dynamic is essential in a city like Duluth, where competitive salaries are associated with specialized coding knowledge.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,619 | $13.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,830 | $13.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $30,753 | $14.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37,239 | $17.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41,565 | $19.98 |
Median Salary Position
1.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Duluth
In Duluth, MN, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,946 (2026 est.). At $30,753, the local median is 1.33% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Duluth: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Duluth Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Duluth median: $30,753/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Duluth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $17,336 | +77.40% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +1.33% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Duluth, MN earn a median of $30,753 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.33% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 77.40% above the Minnesota state average of $17,336.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Duluth has a cost of living 11.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Duluth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 88.768 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $30,753 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $34,644 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.65% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$48,070
2025 BLS Actual
$30,056
2026 Current Est.
$30,753
2021–2027 Growth
+-34.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Duluth (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $48,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $30,056 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30,753 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31,467 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Duluth metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -37.5% from $48,070 (2021) to $30,056 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $31,467 by 2027 — a total increase of $-16,603 (-34.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth 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) | $27,619 – $28,830 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,830 – $30,753 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $30,753 – $37,239 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $37,239 – $41,565 |
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 Duluth
Duluth's job market currently employs around 180 medical billing and coding specialists, presenting a solid opportunity for individuals entering this profession. With a cost-of-living index of 88.768, which is below the national average, professionals may find their take-home pay stretches further than in higher-cost regions. Employers like hospital inpatient coding departments and local insurance companies typically offer more competitive compensation, catering to the demand for specialized coding skills. Aspects that influence pay include areas of expertise, such as inpatient coding or risk adjustment, and additional certifications that signal advanced knowledge in compliance audits. For those looking to maximize their salary in Duluth, pursuing credentials from reputable organizations like AAPC or AHIMA, along with gaining experience in high-demand areas like HCC coding, can produce significant pay benefits in this evolving field.
More salary data for Duluth, 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 $30,056 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Duluth 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