Medical Billing Salary

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 94.75% 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.

$20,379
Starting Salary
$9.80/hr
Starting Hourly
$20,379
Entry Level
$27,364
Career Median Target

Official BLS data · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Entry Level Salary in San Antonio, TX — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
San Antonio, TX medical billing and coding specialist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$20,379/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$23,085/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$27,364/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$35,483/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Antonio

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in San Antonio. The median salary is $27,364, compared to the national median of $30,349.$18.3K$25.0K$31.7K$38.4K$45.0K$20.4K10th Pctl$23.1K25th Pctl$27.4KMedian$35.5K75th Pctl$42.9K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

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 $27,3649.84% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical billing and coding specialist pay in the San Antonio metro area.

Return on Investment

$3,200
Avg TX Program Cost
$20,379
Starting Salary
15.70%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

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 (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in San Antonio. Baseline $29,430 in 2025, projected to $20,852 by 2027.$17.6K$21.7K$25.8K$30.0K$34.1K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$29.4K$30.3K$31.8K$30.0K$19.9K$20.4K$20.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$29,430Actual
2022$30,260Actual
2023$31,750Actual
2024$30,000Actual
2025$19,917Actual
2026(current)$20,379Estimated
2027$20,852Projected

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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Antonio metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for medical billing and coding specialists in San Antonio in 2026?

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in San Antonio start at approximately $20,379/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $9.80/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do medical billing and coding specialist salaries grow in San Antonio?

Most medical billing and coding specialists in San Antonio progress from the entry-level salary of $20,379 to the area median of $27,364 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $42,883 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is medical billing and coding school worth it in San Antonio?

With a starting salary of $20,379/year in San Antonio and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new medical billing and coding specialists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new medical billing and coding specialists make right out of school in San Antonio?

New medical billing and coding graduates in San Antonio typically start near the 10th percentile at $20,379/year, or approximately $9.80/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in Texas?

To become a licensed medical billing and coding specialist in Texas, you typically need postsecondary certificate or associate degree in medical billing and coding from an accredited program, plus optional professional certification, then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Texas, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some medical billing and coding specialists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Texas

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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

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