Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Mandan, ND: $12,205 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Mandan, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $12,205 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Mandan's local price level (BEA RPP 92.0 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $13,266 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($15,135) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mandan, North Dakota, starting salaries for new graduate medical billing and coding specialists are projected to be around $12,205 annually in 2026. This figure indicates a significant gap when compared to the city's median salary of $15,135, suggesting that entry-level professionals may begin their career with limited earnings. However, as new coding specialists gain experience, they can realistically expect to progress through the salary tiers, moving from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile and even closer to the median over the first few years of their careers. The job market in Mandan appears stable for recent graduates, as the demand for healthcare coding roles continues to grow, supported by an expected annual growth rate of 2.32%.
About the Mandan Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Mandan
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 Mandan
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Mandan, ND typically start between $12,205 and $13,221 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $10,552 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $15,135 — 50.13% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in North Dakota of $3,000 represents just 24.58% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($12,205/year) in Mandan. 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 Mandan
- 1Research the Mandan market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $12,205 to $13,221, 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 ND often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Mandan, 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 Mandan for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Mandan'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 Mandan is $10,552 ( 86.46%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $12,205, experienced hygienists can earn up to $22,757.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$9,488
2025 BLS Actual
$11,928
2026 Current Est.
$12,205
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Mandan (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $9,488 | Actual |
| 2022 | $10,223 | Actual |
| 2023 | $11,309 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,144 | Actual |
| 2025 | $11,928 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $12,205 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $12,488 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Mandan, ND grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $9,488 in 2021 to $11,928 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $12,488. New graduates entering the Mandan job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mandan 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 Mandan
For new graduates in this field, several local employers tend to hire entry-level candidates. Physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers often offer positions for coded roles, while third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams are known to support apprentice coders through structured mentorship opportunities. To enhance starting pay in North Dakota, obtaining credentials such as the AAPC’s CPC or CPC-A and AHIMA’s CCS or CCS-P can make candidates more competitive. Given that much of the coding work has transitioned to remote positions post-2020, continuous education on ICD-10-CM updates and quarterly CPT revisions is vital. Fresh coders can anticipate a gradual salary increase over their first three years as they develop their skills and specialize in areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding, which are seeing significant demand in the evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Mandan, ND:
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 Mandan. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mandan 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