Medical Billing Salary

Austin vs College Station: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Austin, TX and College Station, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$29,073
$13.98/hr
College Station, TX
$26,349
$12.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXCollege Station, TX
Median Salary$29,073$26,349
Hourly Rate$13.98$12.67
Entry Level (P10)$15,364$17,738
25th Percentile$23,365$21,228
75th Percentile$38,041$29,851
Top Earner (P90)$47,298$37,922
Total Employed1,320120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($29,073) and College Station ($26,349) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.AustinCollege StationMedian Salary$29,073$26,349Entry Level (P10)$15,364$17,738Top Earner (P90)$47,298$37,922US Median $30,349

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to College Station.

The salary gap between Austin and College Station is $2,724 (10.34%). Austin's median is -4.20% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $31,934,College Station spans $20,184. Austin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$15,364
P25$23,365
Median$29,073
P75$38,041
P90 (Top)$47,298
College Station
P10 (Entry)$17,738
P25$21,228
Median$26,349
P75$29,851
P90 (Top)$37,922

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($29,646 effective) pays 2.33% more than College Station ($28,971 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $29,073
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $29,646
College Station
Nominal: $26,349
CoL Index: 90.951
Adjusted: $28,971

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($29,073/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($47,298)
  • Larger job market (1,320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $29,646)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose College Station if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Austin grew -38.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -32.9% growth in College Station over the same period.

Austin, TX

+-38.5%

$46,220 (2021) → $28,414 (2025)

College Station, TX

+-32.9%

$38,360 (2021) → $25,752 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Austin or College Station?

Austin has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $29,073/year, compared to College Station at $26,349/year — a difference of $2,724 (10.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and College Station?

Austin medical billing and coding specialists earn $13.98/hr while College Station hygienists earn $12.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to College Station as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and College Station. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $29,646, College Station = $28,971), job availability (1,320 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Austin vs College Station?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $15,364 in Austin and $17,738 in College Station. The College Station area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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