Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in North Providence, RI: $13,117 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the North Providence, RI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $13,117 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out North Providence's local price level (BEA RPP 100.5 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $13,052 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($16,972) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In North Providence, the starting medical billing and coding specialist salary is projected to begin at $13,117 in 2026, which may not meet the expectations of many new graduates. While the median annual salary for this role in the area is estimated at $16,972, this demonstrates a significant gap that new entrants into the field will need to navigate. Career growth in the first few years can offer optimism, as specialists can progress from the starting level to approximately $14,864 within a couple of years, ultimately working toward the median salary. Given the overall job growth rate of 2.32% annually for this position, North Providence presents a reasonable market for fresh graduates seeking to establish their careers in medical billing and coding.
About the North Providence Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in North Providence
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 North Providence
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in North Providence, RI typically start between $13,117 and $14,864 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $13,087 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $16,972 — 44.08% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Rhode Island of $5,500 represents just 41.93% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($13,117/year) in North Providence. 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 North Providence
- 1Research the North Providence market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $13,117 to $14,864, 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 RI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in North Providence, 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 North Providence for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5North Providence'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 North Providence is $13,087 ( 99.77%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $13,117, experienced hygienists can earn up to $26,204.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$10,197
2025 BLS Actual
$12,820
2026 Current Est.
$13,117
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in North Providence (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $10,197 | Actual |
| 2022 | $10,987 | Actual |
| 2023 | $12,155 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,625 | Actual |
| 2025 | $12,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13,117 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13,422 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in North Providence, RI grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $10,197 in 2021 to $12,820 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $13,422. New graduates entering the North Providence job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Providence 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 North Providence
Employers in North Providence tend to be quite receptive to hiring new graduates, particularly those from healthcare training programs. Various organizations, including third-party coding firms and payer coding audit teams, often look for those with AAPC's CPC-A certification, offering structured mentorship that is advantageous for starting coders. Roles in physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgery centers typically require entry-level coding certifications as well. For those focusing on inpatient coding, credentials such as AHIMA's CCS can also prove beneficial. To improve starting pay in RI, additional certifications like CRC, CPMA, or CIC can enhance a candidate's marketability. In the first three years of their careers, new coders are encouraged to stay updated with ICD-10-CM guidelines and keep abreast of the quarterly CPT updates as the industry has moved toward a remote work standard post-2020. As risk adjustment and HCC coding become increasingly pivotal, new coders entering North Providence can realistically anticipate gradual salary growth as they accumulate hands-on experience and continue pursuing relevant credentials.
More salary data for North Providence, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for medical billing and coding specialists in North Providence in 2026?
How fast do medical billing and coding specialist salaries grow in North Providence?
Is medical billing and coding school worth it in North Providence?
What do new medical billing and coding specialists make right out of school in North Providence?
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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 North Providence. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for North Providence 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