Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Malden, MA: $24,628 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Malden, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $24,628 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Malden's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $22,699 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($34,763) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, new graduates entering the field of medical billing and coding in Malden, Massachusetts, can anticipate a starting medical billing and coding specialist salary that typically begins at around $24,628. Within the spectrum of entry-level positions, this figure illustrates a significant gap when compared to the city’s median annual salary of $34,763. Career growth in this profession appears promising; starting pay scales are projected to ascend from initial earnings up to $28,911 as coders gain experience within their first three to five years. With a 2.32% annual growth rate, Malden is establishing a competitive job market for newcomers, particularly as the demand for certified professionals continues to increase, making it an opportune time for recent graduates seeking their first roles.
About the Malden Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Malden
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 Malden
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Malden, MA typically start between $24,628 and $28,911 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $29,255 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $34,763 — 14.54% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Massachusetts of $6,500 represents just 26.39% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($24,628/year) in Malden. 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 Malden
- 1Research the Malden market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $24,628 to $28,911, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Malden, 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 Malden for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Malden's moderate 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 Malden is $29,255 ( 118.79%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $24,628, experienced hygienists can earn up to $53,883.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$19,145
2025 BLS Actual
$24,070
2026 Current Est.
$24,628
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Malden (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19,145 | Actual |
| 2022 | $20,629 | Actual |
| 2023 | $22,821 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,519 | Actual |
| 2025 | $24,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24,628 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25,200 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Malden, MA grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $19,145 in 2021 to $24,070 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $25,200. New graduates entering the Malden job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Malden 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 Malden
Companies in Malden hiring new grads often include third-party coding firms and payer coding audit teams, which typically seek Certified Professional Coders-Apprentice (CPC-A) for entry-level roles that offer structured mentorship. Positions within physician group practices and outpatient Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) can also provide viable paths for recent graduates. To bolster starting pay in Massachusetts, obtaining credentials such as AAPC’s CPC or AHIMA's CCS can be highly beneficial, with further certifications in areas like risk adjustment and inpatient coding enhancing career prospects. With approximately 80% of medical coding roles shifting to remote environments post-2020, those entering this field must stay up-to-date with quarterly updates to the ICD-10-CM and CPT code sets. Realistically, entry-level salaries are likely to grow steadily as professionals accumulate experience and specialize, particularly in the rapidly expanding risk adjustment coding area well-suited to the needs of the Medicare Advantage and ACA marketplace.
More salary data for Malden, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Malden. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Malden 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