Medical Billing Salary

Elizabethtown vs Lexington: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Elizabethtown, KY and Lexington, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elizabethtown, KY
$26,397
$12.70/hr
Lexington, KY
$29,531
$14.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElizabethtown, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$26,397$29,531
Hourly Rate$12.70$14.19
Entry Level (P10)$21,934$22,445
25th Percentile$25,525$26,302
75th Percentile$36,088$35,364
Top Earner (P90)$42,301$42,539
Total Employed110540
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elizabethtown ($26,397) and Lexington ($29,531) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.ElizabethtownLexingtonMedian Salary$26,397$29,531Entry Level (P10)$21,934$22,445Top Earner (P90)$42,301$42,539US Median $30,349

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Elizabethtown.

The salary gap between Elizabethtown and Lexington is $3,134 (11.87%). Lexington's median is -2.70% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elizabethtown spans $20,367,Lexington spans $20,094. Elizabethtown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Elizabethtown
P10 (Entry)$21,934
P25$25,525
Median$26,397
P75$36,088
P90 (Top)$42,301
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$22,445
P25$26,302
Median$29,531
P75$35,364
P90 (Top)$42,539

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington ($31,792 effective) pays 9.08% more than Elizabethtown ($29,145 effective).

Elizabethtown
Nominal: $26,397
CoL Index: 90.572
Adjusted: $29,145
Lexington
Nominal: $29,531
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $31,792

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elizabethtown if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($29,531/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($42,539)
  • Larger job market (540 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $31,792)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Elizabethtown grew -40.7% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -36.2% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Elizabethtown, KY

+-40.7%

$43,490 (2021) → $25,798 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+-36.2%

$45,250 (2021) → $28,861 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Elizabethtown or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $29,531/year, compared to Elizabethtown at $26,397/year — a difference of $3,134 (11.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elizabethtown and Lexington?

Elizabethtown medical billing and coding specialists earn $12.70/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $14.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elizabethtown to Lexington as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elizabethtown and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elizabethtown = $29,145, Lexington = $31,792), job availability (110 vs 540 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Elizabethtown vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $21,934 in Elizabethtown and $22,445 in Lexington. The Lexington 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