Medical Billing Salary

Houston vs The Colony: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Houston, TX and The Colony, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$30,415
$14.62/hr
The Colony, TX
$26,179
$12.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXThe Colony, TX
Median Salary$30,415$26,179
Hourly Rate$14.62$12.59
Entry Level (P10)$22,640$18,906
25th Percentile$26,913$21,947
75th Percentile$38,960$32,523
Top Earner (P90)$47,779$39,720
Total Employed3,6809
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($30,415) and The Colony ($26,179) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.HoustonThe ColonyMedian Salary$30,415$26,179Entry Level (P10)$22,640$18,906Top Earner (P90)$47,779$39,720US Median $30,349

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to The Colony.

The salary gap between Houston and The Colony is $4,236 (16.18%). Houston's median is +0.22% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $25,139,The Colony spans $20,814. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$22,640
P25$26,913
Median$30,415
P75$38,960
P90 (Top)$47,779
The Colony
P10 (Entry)$18,906
P25$21,947
Median$26,179
P75$32,523
P90 (Top)$39,720

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($30,838 effective) pays 13.08% more than The Colony ($27,270 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $30,415
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $30,838
The Colony
Nominal: $26,179
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $27,270

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($30,415/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($47,779)
  • Larger job market (3,680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $30,838)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose The Colony 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 Houston grew -32.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -45.5% growth in The Colony over the same period.

Houston, TX

+-32.5%

$44,010 (2021) → $29,725 (2025)

The Colony, TX

+-45.5%

$46,949 (2024) → $25,585 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Houston or The Colony?

Houston has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $30,415/year, compared to The Colony at $26,179/year — a difference of $4,236 (16.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and The Colony?

Houston medical billing and coding specialists earn $14.62/hr while The Colony hygienists earn $12.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to The Colony as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and The Colony. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $30,838, The Colony = $27,270), job availability (3,680 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Houston vs The Colony?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $22,640 in Houston and $18,906 in The Colony. The Houston 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