Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Hazleton, PA: $19,451 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Hazleton, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $19,451 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Hazleton's local price level (BEA RPP 97.4 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $19,970 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($27,430) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Hazleton, Pennsylvania, can expect to begin their careers with a starting medical billing and coding specialist salary of approximately $19,451 in 2026. This figure marks a significant gap from the overall city median salary of $27,430, which suggests that new graduates should be prepared for a gradual increase in pay as they gain experience. In the first few years of employment, entry-level professionals can realistically aim for a progression from the initial pay towards the P25 level of $24,402 within two to three years, eventually approaching the median salary as they build their skills and credentials. Overall, Hazleton presents a moderately favorable market for new graduates, particularly given the growth rate of 2.32% annual, which opens up opportunities for advancement in the field.
About the Hazleton Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Hazleton
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 Hazleton
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Hazleton, PA typically start between $19,451 and $24,402 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $23,065 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $27,430 — 9.62% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Pennsylvania of $5,500 represents just 28.28% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($19,451/year) in Hazleton. 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 Hazleton
- 1Research the Hazleton market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $19,451 to $24,402, 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 PA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Hazleton, 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 Hazleton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Hazleton'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 Hazleton is $23,065 ( 118.58%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $19,451, experienced hygienists can earn up to $42,516.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$15,121
2025 BLS Actual
$19,010
2026 Current Est.
$19,451
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Hazleton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15,121 | Actual |
| 2022 | $16,292 | Actual |
| 2023 | $18,024 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,273 | Actual |
| 2025 | $19,010 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19,451 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19,902 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Hazleton, PA grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $15,121 in 2021 to $19,010 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $19,902. New graduates entering the Hazleton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hazleton 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 Hazleton
Employers in Hazleton that typically hire new graduates include third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams, which often seek out CPC-A (apprentice) coders willing to engage in structured mentorship programs. Entry-level positions can also be found within physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), providing valuable experience for recent graduates. To enhance starting pay and position in the job market, new medical billers and coders can earn relevant credentials such as the AAPC's CPC or CPC-A for outpatient roles, or AHIMA's CCS for inpatient coding. With coding increasingly shifting toward remote work, new professionals should anticipate the necessity of ongoing education due to frequent updates to ICD-10-CM and CPT codes. In this evolving context, new entrants can expect to see realistic salary increases as they gain proficiency in high-demand areas such as risk adjustment and HCC coding. Overall, early career professionals in Hazleton can anticipate measurable progress in their salaries over their first few years in the field if they actively pursue development opportunities and credentials.
More salary data for Hazleton, PA:
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 Hazleton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hazleton 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