Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Waco, TX: $25,595 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Waco, TX earns a median $25,595/year (≈ $12.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Waco's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.5), that paycheck buys what $27,655 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a medical billing and coding specialist in Waco, Texas, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $25,595. The salary spectrum for this profession ranges from $16,611 at the 10th percentile to $34,812 at the 90th percentile. Individuals seeking to enhance their earning potential might consider pursuing additional certifications, such as Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), or Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC). Each of these credentials adds value in the form of increased knowledge and expertise, ultimately influencing lifetime earnings in a job market where certified specialists are often in demand. Furthermore, the data reported here stems from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, offering reliable insights into wage expectations in Waco's healthcare coding sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16,611 | $7.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21,246 | $10.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $25,595 | $12.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29,928 | $14.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34,812 | $16.74 |
Median Salary Position
15.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waco
In Waco, TX, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,201 (2026 est.). At $25,595, the local median is 15.66% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waco Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Waco median: $25,595/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $26,773 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -15.66% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Waco, TX earn a median of $25,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.66% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 4.40% below the Texas state average of $26,773.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waco has a cost of living 7.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Waco, TX has a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $25,595 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $27,655 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.05% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,240
2025 BLS Actual
$25,015
2026 Current Est.
$25,595
2021–2027 Growth
+-29.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Waco (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $25,015 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25,595 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26,189 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waco metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -32.8% from $37,240 (2021) to $25,015 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $26,189 by 2027 — a total increase of $-11,051 (-29.68%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waco 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) | $16,611 – $21,246 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $21,246 – $25,595 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $25,595 – $29,928 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $29,928 – $34,812 |
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 Waco
The local job market supports approximately 110 medical billing and coding specialists, reflecting a steady demand for such roles. With a cost-of-living index of 92.55, Waco's relatively low expenses can provide a more favorable take-home income compared to markets with higher living costs. Employers that tend to offer the most competitive salaries include physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments. Factors influencing pay disparities among local coding professionals include specialty—where inpatient CCS roles generally command higher salaries—and credential stacking, as combining certifications can significantly elevate compensation. The opportunity for remote work has transformed the field, making it essential for professionals to remain updated on coding systems like ICD-10-CM and CPT amidst a competitive landscape. To maximize earnings in Waco, specialists should consider pursuing advanced certifications and stay informed about shifts in coding practices, particularly in growing areas such as risk adjustment and HCC coding.
More salary data for Waco, 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 $25,015 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Waco 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