Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Cleveland, OH: $36,765 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Cleveland, OH earns a median $36,765/year (≈ $17.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $39,144 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 29.7% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Cleveland, Ohio, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $36,765, significantly exceeding the national median of $30,349 by approximately 21.14%. The full salary range for this role spans from $23,448 at the 10th percentile to $55,897 at the 90th percentile. This data, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and updated for projections, reflects the robust opportunities available in the Cleveland market for professionals equipped with credentials such as Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC). Each of these designations adds to one's lifetime earning potential, with the CCS and CRC often yielding higher salaries due to the specialized knowledge required to navigate inpatient coding and risk adjustment coding, respectively.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,448 | $11.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,385 | $13.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,765 | $17.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,234 | $21.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,897 | $26.88 |
Median Salary Position
21.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,449 (2026 est.). At $36,765, the local median is 21.14% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $36,765/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $28,346 | +29.70% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +21.14% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $36,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.14% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 29.70% above the Ohio state average of $28,346.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $36,765 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $39,144 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$46,950
2025 BLS Actual
$35,931
2026 Current Est.
$36,765
2021–2027 Growth
+-19.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Cleveland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,931 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,765 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,618 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -23.5% from $46,950 (2021) to $35,931 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,618 by 2027 — a total increase of $-9,332 (-19.88%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $23,448 – $28,385 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,385 – $36,765 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,765 – $45,234 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,234 – $55,897 |
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 Cleveland
Cleveland’s local job market is strong, with 1,810 medical billing and coding specialists currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 93.923, indicating a slightly lower expense structure compared to the national average, enhancing take-home purchasing power for professionals in this field. Employers that typically offer higher pay include physician group practice coding offices, hospital inpatient coding departments, and insurance company coding audit teams. The spread between lower and higher salaries is influenced by various factors including the specific coding specialty, with inpatient coding generally attracting higher pay than outpatient coding roles. Additionally, credential stacking can significantly boost earnings, especially in this evolving landscape where remote work is a growing standard. To maximize pay in Cleveland, specialists should consider pursuing advanced certifications, gaining experience in high-demand specialties, and leveraging productivity bonuses associated with remote coding roles.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
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 $35,931 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Cleveland 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