Medical Billing Salary

Salem vs Sherwood: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Salem, OR and Sherwood, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Salem, OR
$33,833
$16.27/hr
Sherwood, OR
$32,059
$15.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSalem, ORSherwood, OR
Median Salary$33,833$32,059
Hourly Rate$16.27$15.41
Entry Level (P10)$21,377$23,874
25th Percentile$28,884$27,290
75th Percentile$38,284$39,149
Top Earner (P90)$47,150$49,110
Total Employed2904
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Salem ($33,833) and Sherwood ($32,059) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.SalemSherwoodMedian Salary$33,833$32,059Entry Level (P10)$21,377$23,874Top Earner (P90)$47,150$49,110US Median $30,349

Verdict

Salem, OR offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Sherwood.

The salary gap between Salem and Sherwood is $1,774 (5.53%). Salem's median is +11.48% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Salem spans $25,773,Sherwood spans $25,236. Salem has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Salem
P10 (Entry)$21,377
P25$28,884
Median$33,833
P75$38,284
P90 (Top)$47,150
Sherwood
P10 (Entry)$23,874
P25$27,290
Median$32,059
P75$39,149
P90 (Top)$49,110

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salem ($32,642 effective) pays 4.47% more than Sherwood ($31,247 effective).

Salem
Nominal: $33,833
CoL Index: 103.649
Adjusted: $32,642
Sherwood
Nominal: $32,059
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $31,247

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Salem if…

  • Higher median salary ($33,833/year)
  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $32,642)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Sherwood if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($49,110)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Salem grew -29.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -42.4% growth in Sherwood over the same period.

Salem, OR

+-29.1%

$46,640 (2021) → $33,066 (2025)

Sherwood, OR

+-42.4%

$54,443 (2024) → $31,332 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Salem or Sherwood?

Salem has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $33,833/year, compared to Sherwood at $32,059/year — a difference of $1,774 (5.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Salem and Sherwood?

Salem medical billing and coding specialists earn $16.27/hr while Sherwood hygienists earn $15.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Salem to Sherwood as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Salem and Sherwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Salem = $32,642, Sherwood = $31,247), job availability (290 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Salem vs Sherwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $21,377 in Salem and $23,874 in Sherwood. The Sherwood area offers higher starting salaries.
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