Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Madison, WI: $28,770 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Madison, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $28,770 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Madison's local price level (BEA RPP 97.3 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $29,572 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($36,711) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the field of medical billing and coding in Madison, Wisconsin can expect an entry level medical billing and coding specialist salary Madison around $28,770 annually. This figure represents the lower end of the pay scale, with the median salary for all specialists in the city projected at $36,711. For early-career professionals, salaries typically grow substantially within the first few years; for instance, many will find themselves moving from the entry point to around $29,940 after gaining valuable experience. Overall, Madison presents a favorable job market for new grads gauging their potential earnings in relation to the salary range, as they can realistically aim to approach the city median within the first three to five years post-graduation.
Career Earnings Timeline in Madison
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 Madison
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Madison, WI typically start between $28,770 and $29,940 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $18,541 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $36,711 — 20.96% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Wisconsin of $3,500 represents just 12.17% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($28,770/year) in Madison. 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 Madison
- 1Research the Madison market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $28,770 to $29,940, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Madison, 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 Madison for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Madison'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 Madison is $18,541 ( 64.45%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $28,770, experienced hygienists can earn up to $47,311.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$40,500
2025 BLS Actual
$28,118
2026 Current Est.
$28,770
2021–2027 Growth
+-27.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Madison (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $40,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,118 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,770 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29,438 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Madison, WI grew -30.6% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $40,500 in 2021 to $28,118 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $29,438. New graduates entering the Madison job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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 Madison
Employers across Madison actively recruit entry-level medical billing and coding specialists, particularly within third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams that offer structured mentorship for those holding a CPC-A certification. Physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) also seek entry-level coders, while hospital inpatient coding roles typically require a CCS credential. Enhancing qualifications through credentials provided by AAPC or AHIMA can significantly elevate starting medical billing and coding specialist salary Madison. In the first few years, it is crucial for new professionals to engage in continuous education related to updates in ICD-10-CM and quarterly CPT changes. Furthermore, there is an increasing demand for expertise in risk adjustment and HCC coding related to Medicare Advantage plans and the ACA marketplace, marking this specialization as a high-growth area. Realistically, new coders may experience steady salary growth between roles, especially if they are adaptable to the evolving landscape of remote coding practices in the post-2020 environment.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
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 Madison. 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