Medical Billing Salary

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Denver, CO: $36,343 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Denver, CO earns a median $36,343/year (≈ $17.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $34,357 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.4% above the Colorado state average.

$36,343
Median Annual Salary
$17.48/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$28,385
Entry Level (P10)
$57,078
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Denver, CO — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Denver, CO medical billing and coding specialist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Denver, Colorado, the financial landscape for medical billing and coding specialists is promising, with a median annual salary projected at $36,343 for 2026. This figure is notably higher than the national average, which stands at $30,349, reflecting a competitive local job market. Salary expectations vary significantly, ranging from $28,385 at the 10th percentile to $57,078 at the 90th percentile. These insights come from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. For professionals navigating the credential stacking pathway—such as obtaining a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) designation, followed by a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and possibly adding a Risk Adjustment Certified Coder (CRC)—the potential lifetime earning increases are substantial, enhancing both job security and compensation potential in the Denver area.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$28,385$13.64
Lower Range (P25)$32,153$15.46
Median (P50)(typical)$36,343$17.48
Upper Range (P75)$45,886$22.06
Top Earners (P90)$57,078$27.44

Median Salary Position

$28,385$57,078
City Median: $36,343
National: $30,349
P10–P90 Range

19.75% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Denver. The median salary is $36,343, compared to the national median of $30,349.$25.5K$34.1K$42.7K$51.3K$59.9K$28.4K10th Pctl$32.2K25th Pctl$36.3KMedian$45.9K75th Pctl$57.1K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

In Denver, CO, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,693 (2026 est.). At $36,343, the local median is 19.75% above the national median of $30,349.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$699
per week
$3,029
per month
$36,351
per year

At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Denver Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares

Denver median: $36,343/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryDenver Pays
Colorado Average$32,624+11.40% more
National Average$30,349+19.75% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in Denver ($36,343) with Colorado average ($32,624) and the US national median ($30,349).Denver$36,343Colorado Avg$32,624+11.40%US National$30,349+19.75%

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Denver, CO earn a median of $36,343 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.75% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 11.40% above the Colorado state average of $32,624.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$36,343
Nominal Salary
105.782
CoL Index
$34,357
Adjusted Salary

Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $36,343. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 105.782, the purchasing-power equivalent is $34,357, a loss of $1,986.$25.8K$29.8K$33.8K$37.8K$41.8K$36,343NominalSalary$34,357CoL Adjusted(CoL: 105.782) -5.46%US Median $30.3K

Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $36,343 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $34,357 — a 5.46% reduction.

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2021 BLS Actual

$48,350

2025 BLS Actual

$35,519

2026 Current Est.

$36,343

2021–2027 Growth

+-23.1%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Denver (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 Denver. Baseline $48,350 in 2025, projected to $37,186 by 2027.$30.2K$39.5K$48.8K$58.1K$67.3K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$48.4K$55.1K$62.0K$59.3K$35.5K$36.3K$37.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$48,350Actual
2022$55,070Actual
2023$62,030Actual
2024$59,250Actual
2025$35,519Actual
2026(current)$36,343Estimated
2027$37,186Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -26.5% from $48,350 (2021) to $35,519 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,186 by 2027 — a total increase of $-11,164 (-23.09%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$28,385$32,153
3-5 years (Mid Career)$32,153$36,343
5+ years (Experienced)$36,343$45,886
10+ years (Top Earner)$45,886$57,078

MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in Denver

As of now, there are approximately 870 medical billing and coding specialists employed in Denver, creating a robust job market that supports continued professional growth. The cost-of-living index in the area is 105.782, indicating higher living expenses compared to the national average. This economic context significantly impacts take-home pay, making it crucial for specialists to target employers that offer higher compensation, such as physician group practice coding offices and inpatient coding departments within hospitals. Factors influencing the salary spread range from specialization—where inpatient roles typically command higher wages—to credential stacking. Additionally, positions in compliance and audit subspecialties often include productivity bonuses, providing a further incentive. To maximize earnings, professionals should pursue in-demand skills, stay updated with coding standards like ICD-10-CM, and leverage remote work opportunities that have become standard in the field since the pandemic.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Denver, CO in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Denver is $36,343/year ($17.48/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $28,385 at entry level (10th percentile) to $57,078 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Denver at 19.8% above the national median. Full-time medical billing and coding specialists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Denver medical billing and coding specialist salaries are 19.8% above the national average and 11.4% above the Colorado state average. The metro area employs approximately 870 medical billing and coding specialists. With a cost-of-living index of 105.782, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Denver?

The median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Denver is $36,343, and the 90th percentile earns $57,078. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in Denver?

After adjusting for Denver's cost-of-living index of 105.782 (where 100 equals the national average), the $36,343 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $34,357 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Denver reduce the effective value of your salary by 5.5% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in Denver?

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Denver earn a median hourly rate of $17.48, which translates to approximately $36,343/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $13.64 for entry-level positions to $27.44 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem medical billing and coding specialists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Colorado

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

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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $35,519 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Denver metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

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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