Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Starkville, MS: $14,670 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Starkville, MS earns a median $14,670/year (≈ $7.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Starkville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $17,118 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, individuals pursuing a career as medical billing and coding specialists in Starkville, Mississippi, can expect a median annual salary of $14,670, significantly lower than the national median of $30,349. With a salary range from $10,438 at the 10th percentile to $22,092 at the 90th percentile, this field offers various earning potential based on specialization and experience level. For those armed with credentials like the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), or Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC), long-term earning power can increase substantially. Credential stacking not only enhances prospects but also aligns with the growing demand for specialized knowledge, particularly in areas like risk adjustment coding, which is becoming increasingly relevant in the Starkville job market.
About the Starkville Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10,438 | $5.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13,088 | $6.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $14,670 | $7.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18,113 | $8.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22,092 | $10.62 |
Median Salary Position
51.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Starkville
In Starkville, MS, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,654 (2026 est.). At $14,670, the local median is 51.66% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Starkville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Starkville Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Starkville median: $14,670/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Starkville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $15,092 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -51.66% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Starkville, MS earn a median of $14,670 per year (2026 est.), which is 51.66% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 2.80% below the Mississippi state average of $15,092.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Starkville has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Starkville, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $14,670 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $17,118 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$13,081
2025 BLS Actual
$14,337
2026 Current Est.
$14,670
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Starkville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13,081 | Actual |
| 2022 | $13,227 | Actual |
| 2023 | $13,675 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,669 | Actual |
| 2025 | $14,337 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14,670 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $15,010 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Starkville metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $13,081 (2021) to $14,337 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $15,010 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,929 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Starkville 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) | $10,438 – $13,088 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $13,088 – $14,670 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $14,670 – $18,113 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $18,113 – $22,092 |
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 Starkville
Within Starkville, the employment landscape for medical billing and coding specialists is modest, with approximately five professionals currently employed in the area. The local cost-of-living index of 85.7 suggests that salaries in Starkville grant a better-than-average take-home purchasing power compared to national averages. Employers offering competitive pay include physician group practices, hospital coding departments, and third-party coding companies, some of which may even offer remote work options. The variance in pay levels can be attributed to factors like specialty type, demonstrated expertise, and ability to adapt to telecommuting roles, particularly as coding shifted toward remote arrangements post-2020. To maximize their pay, individuals should consider pursuing additional certifications, staying updated on coding regulations, and actively seeking roles within sectors that emphasize compliance and productivity bonuses.
More salary data for Starkville, MS:
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 $14,337 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Starkville 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 Starkville 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