Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in La Crosse, WI: $38,331 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in La Crosse, WI earns a median $38,331/year (≈ $18.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $41,769 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.4% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected medical billing and coding specialist salary in La Crosse, WI, is $38,331, reflecting a competitive position in the nationwide market where the median is $30,349. The salary range for professionals in this field spans from $28,147 at the 10th percentile to $59,975 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, indicate a strong outlook for medical billing and coding specialists in the region. With the shift to remote work, local professionals can expand their search to nationwide opportunities, further elevating their potential earnings. Those considering or working in La Crosse will want to take note of the job market, which supports a steady demand for skilled billing and coding experts.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,147 | $13.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30,860 | $14.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,331 | $18.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,210 | $23.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,975 | $28.83 |
Median Salary Position
26.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,828 (2026 est.). At $38,331, the local median is 26.3% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Crosse: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Crosse Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $38,331/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $35,038 | +9.40% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +26.30% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $38,331 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.30% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 9.40% above the Wisconsin state average of $35,038.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Crosse has a cost of living 8.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Crosse, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.769 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $38,331 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,769 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$45,810
2025 BLS Actual
$37,462
2026 Current Est.
$38,331
2021–2027 Growth
+-14.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in La Crosse (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $45,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,462 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,331 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,220 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -18.2% from $45,810 (2021) to $37,462 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,220 by 2027 — a total increase of $-6,590 (-14.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Crosse 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) | $28,147 – $30,860 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $30,860 – $38,331 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,331 – $49,210 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,210 – $59,975 |
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 La Crosse
The current job market in La Crosse includes about 70 employed medical billing and coding specialists, indicating a healthy demand for these roles in the local healthcare ecosystem. With a cost-of-living index of 91.769, which is below the national average, this environment suggests that take-home pay allows a decent purchasing power for residents. Employers in La Crosse, such as hospital inpatient coding departments and third-party coding companies, tend to offer the highest pay, particularly for those with specialized credentials like CCS and CRC, or for those who take on roles related to audit and compliance. The variation in local salaries often arises from the subspecialty focus, credential stacking, and the increasing premium associated with productivity bonuses. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing additional certifications and exploring remote work options can significantly enhance overall compensation within the regional framework.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in La Crosse, WI in 2026?
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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 $37,462 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the La Crosse 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