Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Pittsburgh, PA: $27,371 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Pittsburgh, PA earns a median $27,371/year (≈ $13.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Pittsburgh's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $28,912 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical billing and coding specialist salary in Pittsburgh is projected to be $27,371, reflecting a notable contrast against the national median of $30,349. The local salary range spans from $22,967 at the lower tenth percentile to $43,458 at the ninetieth percentile. These figures are drawn from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, projected from 2025 statistics. The shift to remote work has broadened job opportunities, allowing specialists in Pittsburgh to compete in a national market. Therefore, the local compensation landscape presents both challenges and advantages for those in the field, with various employers impacting earning potential significantly.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,967 | $11.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26,349 | $12.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $27,371 | $13.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35,578 | $17.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43,458 | $20.89 |
Median Salary Position
9.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh, PA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,491 (2026 est.). At $27,371, the local median is 9.81% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pittsburgh: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Pittsburgh Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Pittsburgh median: $27,371/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pittsburgh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $28,275 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -9.81% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $27,371 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.81% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 3.20% below the Pennsylvania state average of $28,275.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pittsburgh has a cost of living 5.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pittsburgh, PA has a cost-of-living index of 94.671 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $27,371 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $28,912 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.63% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,090
2025 BLS Actual
$26,750
2026 Current Est.
$27,371
2021–2027 Growth
+-28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Pittsburgh (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $39,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,710 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $26,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27,371 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,006 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -31.6% from $39,090 (2021) to $26,750 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $28,006 by 2027 — a total increase of $-11,084 (-28.36%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pittsburgh 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) | $22,967 – $26,349 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $26,349 – $27,371 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $27,371 – $35,578 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $35,578 – $43,458 |
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 Pittsburgh
With approximately 1,740 medical billing and coding specialists employed in the Pittsburgh area, the market remains robust despite the area's cost of living index of 94.671, which offers a practical advantage for professionals taking home their salaries. Among those institutions that pay the most are hospital inpatient coding departments and third-party coding companies that frequently offer remote positions. The disparities in pay can mainly be attributed to the complexity of the coding specialty, with inpatient CCS roles often providing higher wages than outpatient CPC positions. Additionally, professionals who hold multiple credentials may see increases in their pay rates, as do those who specialize in audit and compliance. Staying informed about coding updates and pursuing certifications through recognized bodies such as AAPC or AHIMA can significantly enhance prospects for maximizing earning potential in Pittsburgh PA.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
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 $26,750 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Pittsburgh 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