Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Elk River, MN: $16,987 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Elk River, MN earns a median $16,987/year (≈ $8.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Elk River's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $17,246 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elk River, Minnesota, those working as medical billing and coding specialists can expect a median annual salary of $16,987 as projected for 2026. This figure reflects a full salary range that spans from $13,205 at the 10th percentile to $26,330 at the 90th percentile. Local salary estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, suggest that Elk River's market is notably below the national median of $30,349 for the same year. For aspiring specialists, credentials like the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) can greatly enhance lifetime earning potential and can help contribute to a better position within an employer’s pay structure. Job prospects remain viable locally, making this career path one to consider seriously for those in the region.
About the Elk River Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13,205 | $6.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14,934 | $7.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $16,987 | $8.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20,746 | $9.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26,330 | $12.66 |
Median Salary Position
44.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elk River
In Elk River, MN, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,125 (2026 est.). At $16,987, the local median is 44.03% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elk River: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elk River Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Elk River median: $16,987/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elk River Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $17,334 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -44.03% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Elk River, MN earn a median of $16,987 per year (2026 est.), which is 44.03% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $17,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elk River 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.
Elk River, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $16,987 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $17,246 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$15,148
2025 BLS Actual
$16,602
2026 Current Est.
$16,987
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Elk River (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15,148 | Actual |
| 2022 | $15,316 | Actual |
| 2023 | $15,836 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,112 | Actual |
| 2025 | $16,602 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16,987 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17,381 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elk River metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $15,148 (2021) to $16,602 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $17,381 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,233 (14.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elk River 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) | $13,205 – $14,934 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $14,934 – $16,987 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $16,987 – $20,746 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $20,746 – $26,330 |
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 Elk River
Analyzing the job market for medical billing and coding specialists in Elk River reveals that only four professionals are currently employed in this role, which underscores the competitive nature of this niche. The area’s cost of living index stands at 98.5, slightly below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay may feel more constrained amidst rising expenses. Coding roles within physician group practices and hospital inpatient settings tend to offer higher salaries compared to third-party coding companies and remote positions. Disparities in pay can often be attributed to the type of coding specialty, with inpatient CCS roles earning more than outpatient CPC positions. Moreover, credential stacking and expertise in risk adjustment coding significantly impact compensation levels. For those seeking to maximize earnings in Elk River, pursuing further certifications and focusing on high-demand specialties like risk adjustment could provide notable advantages in this evolving field.
More salary data for Elk River, 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 $16,602 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Elk River 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 Elk River 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