Medical Billing Salary

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‰ˆ $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.

$23,234
Median Annual Salary
$11.17/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$13,370
Entry Level (P10)
$37,875
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data ยท View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in McAllen, TX โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
McAllen, TX medical billing and coding specialist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileAnnualHourly
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

$13,370$37,875
City Median: $23,234
National: $30,349
P10โ€“P90 Range

23.44% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in McAllen

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in McAllen. The median salary is $23,234, compared to the national median of $30,349.$12.0K$19.0K$25.9K$32.8K$39.8K$13.4K10th Pctl$18.3K25th Pctl$23.2KMedian$29.0K75th Pctl$37.9K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

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.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical billing and coding specialist pay in the McAllen metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$447
per week
$1,937
per month
$23,241
per year

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 ToMedian SalaryMcAllen Pays
Texas Average$26,767-13.20% less
National Average$30,349-23.44% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in McAllen ($23,234) with Texas average ($26,767) and the US national median ($30,349).McAllen$23,234Texas Avg$26,767-13.20%US National$30,349-23.44%

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

$23,234
Nominal Salary
85.895
CoL Index
$27,049
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.

The nominal salary is $23,234. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 85.895, the purchasing-power equivalent is $27,049, a gain of $3,815.$19.7K$23.5K$27.3K$31.1K$34.9K$23,234NominalSalary$27,049CoL Adjusted(CoL: 85.895)โ–ฒ 16.42%US Median $30.3K

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

2021โ€“2027 Growth

+-18.1%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in McAllen (2021โ€“2027)

2021โ€“2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in McAllen. Baseline $29,010 in 2025, projected to $23,773 by 2027.$20.0K$24.8K$29.5K$34.3K$39.1K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$29.0K$29.1K$35.3K$36.3K$22.7K$23.2K$23.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$29,010Actual
2022$29,110Actual
2023$35,300Actual
2024$36,340Actual
2025$22,707Actual
2026(current)$23,234Estimated
2027$23,773Projected

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 (2021โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the McAllen metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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

ExperienceEstimated 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in McAllen, TX in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical billing and coding specialist salary in McAllen is $23,234/year ($11.17/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $13,370 at entry level (10th percentile) to $37,875 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts McAllen at 23.4% below the national median. Full-time medical billing and coding specialists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is McAllen, TX a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?

McAllen medical billing and coding specialist salaries are 23.4% below the national average and 13.2% below the Texas state average. The metro area employs approximately 410 medical billing and coding specialists. With a cost-of-living index of 85.895, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in McAllen?

The median medical billing and coding specialist salary in McAllen is $23,234, and the 90th percentile earns $37,875. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in McAllen?

After adjusting for McAllen's cost-of-living index of 85.895 (where 100 equals the national average), the $23,234 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $27,049 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 16.4% further in McAllen compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for medical billing and coding specialists seeking strong real wages.

How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in McAllen?

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in McAllen earn a median hourly rate of $11.17, which translates to approximately $23,234/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $6.43 for entry-level positions to $18.20 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem medical billing and coding specialists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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 (P10โ€“P90) 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

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