Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Texarkana, AR: $15,978 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Texarkana, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $15,978 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Texarkana's local price level (BEA RPP 86.9 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $18,387 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($20,562) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the medical billing and coding field in Texarkana, Arkansas, can expect to start at salaries around $15,978 annually in 2026. With a median entry-level salary of $20,562 in the city, beginners should realistically anticipate a gradual income increase as they gain experience and skills. Over the first three to five years, salaries can advance from the lower percentiles, starting at the P10 mark, towards more sustainable earnings at the P25 level ($18,073) and eventually aligning more closely with the median rate. Given the entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in Texarkana, the local market currently supports new graduates, albeit at a much lower rate than the national average of $30,349.
About the Texarkana Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Texarkana
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Texarkana
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Texarkana, AR typically start between $15,978 and $18,073 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $15,871 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $20,562 — 32.25% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Arkansas of $2,200 represents just 13.77% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($15,978/year) in Texarkana. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AHIMA/CAHIIM-accredited coding and health information certificate programs plus AAPC-approved training courses. Certificates at community colleges and online training programs are the most affordable; associate degree programs cost more but broaden career options. Exam fees (CCA, CCS, CPC) are typically $299-$499 and are separate from tuition.
MBS Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Texarkana
- 1Research the Texarkana market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $15,978 to $18,073, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical billing and coding field — employers in AR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Texarkana, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Texarkana for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Texarkana's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Compensation Range
The medical billing and coding specialist wage spread in Texarkana is $15,871 ( 99.33%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $15,978, experienced hygienists can earn up to $31,849.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$12,421
2025 BLS Actual
$15,616
2026 Current Est.
$15,978
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Texarkana (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $12,421 | Actual |
| 2022 | $13,383 | Actual |
| 2023 | $14,806 | Actual |
| 2024 | $25,587 | Actual |
| 2025 | $15,616 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $15,978 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16,349 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Texarkana, AR grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $12,421 in 2021 to $15,616 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $16,349. New graduates entering the Texarkana job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana 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.
Starting Your medical billing and coding Career in Texarkana
In Texarkana, various employers are keen to hire entry-level medical billing and coding specialists, including third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams that actively seek CPC-A certified candidates for supportive roles. Additional opportunities lie within physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers, which typically offer structured positions for newly credentialed coders. To bolster starting pay, graduates may consider obtaining credentials from recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA, such as the CPC, or CCS, to enhance their gainful employment prospects. As remote work became the norm after 2020, the industry sees a high demand for expertise in coding related to risk adjustment and HCC, particularly for Medicare Advantage and ACA marketplace plans. With strategic investing in continuous education around ICD-10-CM and CPT updates, new professionals can experience meaningful salary growth in their first three years, adapting effectively to the evolving landscape of medical billing and coding in Texarkana, AR.
More salary data for Texarkana, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for medical billing and coding specialists in Texarkana in 2026?
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Is medical billing and coding school worth it in Texarkana?
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical billing and coding graduates. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Texarkana. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Texarkana 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