Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in State College, PA: $28,296 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in State College, PA earns a median $28,296/year (≈ $13.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in State College's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $29,243 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected median annual salary for medical billing and coding specialists in State College, Pennsylvania, stands at $28,296 for 2026. This figure suggests a modest compensation level that is slightly below the national median of $30,349. The local salary range reveals variation in pay, from $21,679 at the 10th percentile to $45,209 at the 90th percentile, highlighting differences based on experience, specialization, and workplace environment. These insights are drawn from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS reports, which document the employment landscape for this occupation. In State College, where the job market comprises about 50 specialists, the dynamics of remote work have expanded geographic competition for roles, influencing local salary expectations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21,679 | $10.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24,397 | $11.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $28,296 | $13.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36,498 | $17.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45,209 | $21.74 |
Median Salary Position
6.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in State College
In State College, PA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,530 (2026 est.). At $28,296, the local median is 6.76% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in State College: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How State College Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
State College median: $28,296/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | State College Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $28,267 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | -6.76% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in State College, PA earn a median of $28,296 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.76% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 0.10% above the Pennsylvania state average of $28,267.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
State College has a cost of living 3.24% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
State College, PA has a cost-of-living index of 96.762 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $28,296 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $29,243 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.35% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,250
2025 BLS Actual
$27,654
2026 Current Est.
$28,296
2021–2027 Growth
+-26.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in State College (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $39,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $27,654 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,296 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,952 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the State College metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -29.5% from $39,250 (2021) to $27,654 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $28,952 by 2027 — a total increase of $-10,298 (-26.24%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the State College 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) | $21,679 – $24,397 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $24,397 – $28,296 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $28,296 – $36,498 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $36,498 – $45,209 |
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 State College
Within State College, the cost-of-living index is approximately 96.762, indicating a slightly lower overall living expense compared to the national average. This lower cost can enhance purchasing power for professionals working in medical coding. Pay tends to be higher in specific sectors, including hospital inpatient coding departments and third-party coding companies that offer remote positions. Various factors contribute to the salary spread, such as specialization in inpatient coding or risk adjustment, and the potential for additional earnings through credential stacking or productivity bonuses. Maximizing earning potential in this market can be achieved by pursuing further credentials through AAPC or AHIMA, focusing on high-demand areas like HCC coding, and considering remote opportunities that can elevate both job satisfaction and income.
More salary data for State College, 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 $27,654 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the State College 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