Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in McAllen, TX: $23,234 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in McAllen, TX earns a median $23,234/year (โ $11.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in McAllen's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $27,049 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.2% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data ยท View source

In 2026, the medical billing and coding specialist salary in McAllen is projected to be $23,234, a figure that stands significantly below the national median of $30,349. The salary range for this profession spans from $13,370 at the 10th percentile to $37,875 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. With a growing trend towards remote work, healthcare facilities in McAllen are adopting more flexible hiring practices, broadening the geographical scope for job seekers. This shift not only provides local coders with the chance to compete for positions nationally but also highlights the importance of specialized skills in demanding areas like risk adjustment coding, which are increasingly sought after in a competitive market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13,370 | $6.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18,332 | $8.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $23,234 | $11.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29,014 | $13.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37,875 | $18.20 |
Median Salary Position
23.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in McAllen
In McAllen, TX, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,505 (2026 est.). At $23,234, the local median is 23.44% below the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in McAllen: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How McAllen Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
McAllen median: $23,234/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | McAllen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $26,767 | -13.20% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -23.44% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in McAllen, TX earn a median of $23,234 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.44% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 13.20% below the Texas state average of $26,767.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
McAllen has a cost of living 14.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal ร (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
McAllen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 85.895 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $23,234 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $27,049 in an average-cost city โ an effective 16.42% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$29,010
2025 BLS Actual
$22,707
2026 Current Est.
$23,234
2021โ2027 Growth
+-18.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in McAllen (2021โ2027)
2021โ2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $22,707 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23,234 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23,773 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the McAllen metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -21.7% from $29,010 (2021) to $22,707 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $23,773 by 2027 โ a total increase of $-5,237 (-18.05%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021โ2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the McAllen metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ2026 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) | $13,370 โ $18,332 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $18,332 โ $23,234 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $23,234 โ $29,014 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $29,014 โ $37,875 |
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 McAllen
The job market for medical billing and coding specialists in McAllen is comprised of approximately 410 employed professionals, creating a network ripe for growth despite the lower average salaries. With a cost-of-living index at 85.895, residents can benefit from a more favorable purchasing power relative to many cities. Employers that typically offer higher wages include physician group practices, inpatient coding departments in hospitals, and third-party coding companies, especially those with remote work options. The variability in pay often correlates with specialty experience, certifications, and productivity bonuses. As professionals look to increase their earnings, engaging in continuous education, acquiring multiple credentials, particularly from AAPC or AHIMA, and seeking out high-demand specialties can be effective strategies. With the increasing focus on risk adjustment and HCC coding, professionals should stay current with coding standards to position themselves favorably in the market.
More salary data for McAllen, TX:
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 $22,707 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the McAllen 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 (P10โP90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (โ). 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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov