Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Columbus, OH: $30,402 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Columbus, OH earns a median $30,402/year (≈ $14.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $31,845 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical billing and coding specialist salary in Columbus, OH, is projected to have a median annual figure of $30,402, slightly above the national median of $30,349, reflecting the city's competitive job market. The salary range spans from $23,916 at the lower 10th percentile to $47,756 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse range of opportunities available for professionals in this field. This data originates from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and emphasizes how remote work has expanded the geographical compensation landscape for these roles. Given that Columbus has numerous healthcare facilities and coding-related opportunities, the job market appears promising for both local candidates and those seeking remote positions from potentially higher-paying regions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,916 | $11.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27,994 | $13.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $30,402 | $14.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38,765 | $18.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,756 | $22.96 |
Median Salary Position
0.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, OH, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,840 (2026 est.). At $30,402, the local median is 0.17% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbus Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Columbus median: $30,402/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $28,334 | +7.30% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +0.17% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Columbus, OH earn a median of $30,402 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.17% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 7.30% above the Ohio state average of $28,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 4.53% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.469 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $30,402 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $31,845 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.75% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$46,810
2025 BLS Actual
$29,713
2026 Current Est.
$30,402
2021–2027 Growth
+-33.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Columbus (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,713 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30,402 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31,108 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -36.5% from $46,810 (2021) to $29,713 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $31,108 by 2027 — a total increase of $-15,702 (-33.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $23,916 – $27,994 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $27,994 – $30,402 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $30,402 – $38,765 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $38,765 – $47,756 |
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 Columbus
Examining the local job market further, there are approximately 1,380 medical billing and coding specialists employed in the Columbus area, highlighting a solid demand for professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 95.469, the purchasing power for these specialists is enhanced, making the salary stretch further than in many other regions. Employers such as physician group practices and insurance companies tend to offer the highest compensation, especially for those with specialized credentials like CCS or CRC. The variation in pay can also be attributed to factors such as coding specialty, credential stacking, and compliance expertise, with roles in inpatient coding typically commanding higher pay than outpatient positions. Adopting strategies like continuous education through AAPC or AHIMA certifications, focusing on in-demand specialties like risk adjustment, and developing skills in productivity-driven environments can maximize earning potential in the Columbus market.
More salary data for Columbus, 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 $29,713 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Columbus 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