Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Cape Girardeau, MO: $30,319 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Cape Girardeau, MO earns a median $30,319/year (โ $14.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Cape Girardeau's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $35,223 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data ยท View source

In 2026, a medical billing and coding specialist in Cape Girardeau is projected to earn a median annual salary of $30,319, closely aligned with the national average of $30,349. This reflects a salary range where earnings can vary significantly, from $21,631 at the lower end to $45,560 for those excelling in the field. Positions requiring different levels of certification can significantly influence pay; for example, specialists who hold a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential, along with Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) designations, can expect to see higher compensation over their careers. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, provide valuable insights into the job market in Cape Girardeau, MO, where opportunities in medical billing and coding continue to grow.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21,631 | $10.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,418 | $11.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $30,319 | $14.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,323 | $18.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45,560 | $21.91 |
Median Salary Position
0.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cape Girardeau
In Cape Girardeau, MO, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,929 (2026 est.). At $30,319, the local median is 0.1% below the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in Cape Girardeau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cape Girardeau Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Cape Girardeau median: $30,319/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cape Girardeau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $29,609 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | -0.10% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $30,319 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.10% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 2.40% above the Missouri state average of $29,609.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cape Girardeau has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal ร (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cape Girardeau, MO has a cost-of-living index of 86.078 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $30,319 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $35,223 in an average-cost city โ an effective 16.17% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,670
2025 BLS Actual
$29,632
2026 Current Est.
$30,319
2021โ2027 Growth
+-17.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Cape Girardeau (2021โ2027)
2021โ2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,632 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30,319 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31,023 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cape Girardeau metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -21.3% from $37,670 (2021) to $29,632 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $31,023 by 2027 โ a total increase of $-6,647 (-17.65%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021โ2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cape Girardeau metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ2026 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) | $21,631 โ $23,418 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,418 โ $30,319 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $30,319 โ $39,323 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,323 โ $45,560 |
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 Cape Girardeau
The local job market currently employs around 70 medical billing and coding specialists, which indicates a stable demand for healthcare-related positions in Cape Girardeau. This area boasts a cost of living index of 86.078, making it an affordable option compared to many regions in the U.S. The disparity in salaries can be influenced by various factors including employer type; coding offices associated with physician group practices or hospitals tend to offer better pay than third-party coding companies or ambulatory surgery centers. Skill specialization further drives income potential, with inpatient coding roles generally offering higher salaries compared to outpatient positions. To maximize earnings in this specific market, investing in additional certifications and specializing in risk adjustment coding can result in increased pay, as demand for these skills continues to rise within the healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Cape Girardeau, MO in 2026?
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Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Cape Girardeau?
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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 $29,632 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Cape Girardeau 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 (P10โP90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (โ). 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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov