Senior Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in North Little Rock, AR: $37,864 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of medical billing and coding specialists working in North Little Rock, AR — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $37,864/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2072. Strip back North Little Rock's price premium (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $43,572 in average-cost America. The 55% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the realm of medical billing and coding in North Little Rock, experienced professionals can anticipate substantial compensation as they move into senior roles. In 2026, top earners, represented by the 90th percentile, can command an impressive annual salary of $37,864, while those in the 75th percentile are projected to earn $31,268. This considerable earning potential marks a clear distinction from the median annual salary of $24,428. The gap between these levels illustrates just how valuable extensive experience is in this field. Achieving top-tier pay in North Little Rock requires not only a wealth of hands-on experience—generally classified as over seven years—but also potentially earning advanced certifications and specializing in high-demand areas such as inpatient coding or surgical coding.
About the North Little Rock Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Little Rock
Experienced medical billing and coding specialists at the top of the pay scale in North Little Rock earn between $31,268 and $37,864 per year (2026 est.). This $19,800 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The North Little Rock median of $24,428 sits 19.51% below the US median.
Top MBS Salary Comparison
| Level | North Little Rock | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $24,428 | $30,349 |
| 75th Percentile | $31,268 | $38,468 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $37,864 | $48,159 |
In North Little Rock, experienced medical billing and coding specialists (P90) earn 55.00% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay in North Little Rock
Advanced Certifications in Arkansas
AR medical billing and coding specialists with additional specialty certifications within the medical billing and coding field earn significantly above the $24,428 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by North Little Rock employers.
Specialty Focus
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the medical billing and coding field in North Little Rock command premium compensation, often reaching the $31,268–$37,864 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the North Little Rock metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced medical billing and coding specialists who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured medical billing and coding specialists in North Little Rock with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Arkansas who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Career & Wage Growth Path in North Little Rock
Clinical Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
5-10 yearsMedical Billing and Coding Specialist Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedNorth Little Rock ranks #6 of 21 Arkansas cities for top earner medical billing and coding specialist salary (90th percentile: $37,864).
Top 10% medical billing and coding specialist compensation in North Little Rock ($37,864) is 2.1% below the Arkansas average P90 ($38,675).
2021 BLS Actual
$33,836
2025 BLS Actual
$37,005
2026 Current Est.
$37,864
2021–2027 Growth
+14.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in North Little Rock (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $33,836 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,482 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,551 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,005 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,864 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,742 | Projected |
Top-earning medical billing and coding specialists (90th percentile) in North Little Rock saw their compensation grow 9.4% from $33,836 in 2021 to $37,005 in 2025, based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.32% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $38,742 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Little Rock 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.
Maximizing Your Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Earnings in North Little Rock
When examining senior medical billing and coding specialist pay in Arkansas, several factors contribute to determining compensation levels. Specialists in high-demand areas like risk adjustment coding, surgical coding, and inpatient coding may find themselves with offers that exceed the median salary considerably. Additionally, the type of employer plays a critical role; career paths in physician group practices or hospital coding departments may present different compensation structures compared to third-party coding companies that offer remote positions. The advancement opportunities in this field can lead to positions such as coding supervisor or HIM director, which often require advanced certifications like CCS or CPC. Beyond the financial aspects, senior roles may also offer non-monetary benefits, such as remote work flexibility and productivity bonuses, which are becoming increasingly appealing in today's job market.
More salary data for North Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced medical billing and coding specialists make in North Little Rock in 2026?
What drives higher medical billing and coding specialist pay in North Little Rock?
What certifications boost medical billing and coding specialist salary in North Little Rock?
Can experienced medical billing and coding specialists make six figures in North Little Rock?
How much does medical billing and coding specialist salary increase over time in North Little Rock?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $37,005 for medical billing and coding specialists in the North Little Rock metro area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for North Little Rock 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