Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Buffalo, NY: $35,743 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Buffalo, NY earns a median $35,743/year (≈ $17.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Buffalo's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $37,293 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.8% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a 2026 median annual salary of $35,743, professionals in the medical billing and coding specialist field can expect favorable earnings in Buffalo, New York. This salary is significantly higher than the national median of $30,349, making Buffalo an attractive market for those in this profession. The full pay range extends from a lower tenth percentile at $23,548 to an upper ninetieth percentile at $49,643, illustrating a diverse compensation landscape influenced by specialization and credentialing. Proficiency in coding can lead to enhanced lifetime earnings; obtaining certifications like the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) can raise an individual’s earning potential considerably. As employers increasingly value these credentials, the job market in Buffalo presents opportunities for growth and advancement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,548 | $11.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,189 | $13.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,743 | $17.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,254 | $20.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,643 | $23.87 |
Median Salary Position
17.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo
In Buffalo, NY, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,095 (2026 est.). At $35,743, the local median is 17.77% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Buffalo median: $35,743/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $30,602 | +16.80% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +17.77% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $35,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.77% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 16.80% above the New York state average of $30,602.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo has a cost of living 4.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.844 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $35,743 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $37,293 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.34% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$47,270
2025 BLS Actual
$34,933
2026 Current Est.
$35,743
2021–2027 Growth
+-22.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Buffalo (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,933 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,743 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,573 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -26.1% from $47,270 (2021) to $34,933 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,573 by 2027 — a total increase of $-10,697 (-22.63%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo 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) | $23,548 – $28,189 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,189 – $35,743 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,743 – $42,254 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,254 – $49,643 |
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 Buffalo
In Buffalo, approximately 830 medical billing and coding specialists are currently employed, reflecting a robust local job market that continues to evolve. The city's cost-of-living index stands at 95.844, which is below the national average, allowing professionals to maximize their take-home purchasing power relative to their salaries. Pay varies considerably across sectors, with physician group practices, hospital coding departments, and third-party coding companies typically offering the highest compensation. Factors such as specialty coding—where roles in inpatient coding generally provide better pay—credential stacking, and remote versus in-office work arrangements drive the pay disparities in this field. To enhance earning prospects, individuals should consider pursuing advanced certifications and taking advantage of productivity-based compensation models. Continuous education via resources from AAPC or AHIMA, especially in high-demand areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding, will further position Buffalo’s medical billing and coding specialists for success.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
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 $34,933 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Buffalo 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