Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Bristol, RI: $16,747 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Bristol, RI earns a median $16,747/year (≈ $8.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $16,664 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Medical billing and coding specialists in Bristol, Rhode Island, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $16,747 in 2026, significantly lower than the national average of $30,349. The local salary range spans from $12,444 at the 10th percentile to $25,583 at the 90th percentile, highlighting disparities in pay based on skills, experience, and job responsibilities. As professionals consider enhancing their qualifications, credential stacking—such as adding the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) certifications—can lead to higher lifetime earnings. In a market where continuous education is crucial, exploring diverse coding specialties relevant to the local healthcare landscape can provide substantial benefits for job seekers in Bristol.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $12,444 | $5.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14,236 | $6.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $16,747 | $8.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20,101 | $9.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25,583 | $12.30 |
Median Salary Position
44.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, RI, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,139 (2026 est.). At $16,747, the local median is 44.82% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Bristol median: $16,747/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $17,684 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -44.82% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bristol, RI earn a median of $16,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 44.82% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $17,684.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $16,747 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $16,664 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$14,933
2025 BLS Actual
$16,367
2026 Current Est.
$16,747
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bristol (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14,933 | Actual |
| 2022 | $15,100 | Actual |
| 2023 | $15,612 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,375 | Actual |
| 2025 | $16,367 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16,747 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17,135 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $14,933 (2021) to $16,367 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $17,135 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,202 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $12,444 – $14,236 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $14,236 – $16,747 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $16,747 – $20,101 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $20,101 – $25,583 |
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 Bristol
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are currently five medical billing and coding specialists employed in Bristol, RI. With a cost of living index slightly above average at 100.5, this can impact the purchasing power of workers in the area, making it essential for them to find competitive positions. Among the hiring entities, physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments tend to offer the most attractive compensation packages. The variation in pay stems from several factors, including specialty focus—such as inpatient coding that requires CCS credentials versus outpatient coding for CPC holders—and the demand for risk adjustment coding expertise. To maximize pay in Bristol, professionals should prioritize acquiring multiple certifications, stay updated on coding updates, and consider opportunities for remote work as the market for telecommuting has surged. Balancing these strategies can enhance earning potential in this competitive, yet regionally nuanced field.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
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 $16,367 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Bristol 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
Salary data for Bristol is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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