Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in San Antonio, TX: $20,379 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the San Antonio, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $20,379 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out San Antonio's local price level (BEA RPP 94.7 — 5% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $21,516 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($27,364) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source

Embarking on a career as a medical billing and coding specialist in San Antonio, TX, can be gratifying, especially for recent graduates entering the field in 2026. New coders can anticipate starting salaries hovering around $20,379, which is noticeably below the city median annual salary of $27,364. The initial gap of nearly $7,000 reflects the realities of entry-level positions, but the earning potential progressively grows over the first few years. By gaining experience and potentially advancing to the 25th percentile earnings of $23,085, many new professionals can expect a steady increase in their financial prospects within the first three to five years. Additionally, San Antonio presents a good market for those venturing into medical coding, given the projected growth of 2.32% in this field according to recent statistics.
Career Earnings Timeline in San Antonio
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 San Antonio
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in San Antonio, TX typically start between $20,379 and $23,085 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $22,504 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $27,364 — 9.84% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Texas of $3,200 represents just 15.70% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($20,379/year) in San Antonio. 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 San Antonio
- 1Research the San Antonio market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $20,379 to $23,085, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in San Antonio, 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 San Antonio for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5San Antonio'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 San Antonio is $22,504 ( 110.43%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $20,379, experienced hygienists can earn up to $42,883.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$29,430
2025 BLS Actual
$19,917
2026 Current Est.
$20,379
2021–2027 Growth
+-29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in San Antonio (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $19,917 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20,379 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20,852 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in San Antonio, TX grew -32.3% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,430 in 2021 to $19,917 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $20,852. New graduates entering the San Antonio job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Antonio 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 San Antonio
In San Antonio, various employers actively seek to hire entry-level coding specialists, providing pathways for new graduates to integrate into the healthcare system. Positions in third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams often welcome candidates with CPC-A certifications (apprentice coders), offering structured mentorship to jumpstart their careers. Meanwhile, opportunities in physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers are ideal for individuals starting their journey in this profession. To boost their marketability and starting pay, aspiring medical coders should consider obtaining certifications from recognized bodies such as AAPC and AHIMA, particularly the AAPC CPC for outpatient coding or AHIMA CCS for inpatient coding. In the first few years, it’s advantageous for new grads to commit to continuous learning, especially in high-demand areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding, which have grown significantly in the post-pandemic world. This strategic focus will not only enhance their skill set but also drive realistic salary growth as they move forward in their careers.
More salary data for San Antonio, TX:
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 San Antonio. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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