Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Grand Junction, CO: $28,783 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Grand Junction, CO earns a median $28,783/year (≈ $13.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Grand Junction's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $30,147 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.7% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Grand Junction, Colorado, can expect a median annual salary of $28,783. This figure reflects a range from $25,216 at the lower percentile to $40,486 at the upper end. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlight how the local pay scale is slightly below the national average of $30,349. As specialists pursue credential stacking—for example, starting as a Certified Professional Coder (CPC), advancing to Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and then obtaining a Risk Adjustment Certified Coding (CRC) designation—they can significantly enhance their earning potential throughout their careers. Understanding this pathway can provide a competitive edge for job seekers in the Grand Junction area, which employs around 60 individuals in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25,216 | $12.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27,886 | $13.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $28,783 | $13.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34,486 | $16.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40,486 | $19.46 |
Median Salary Position
5.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Junction
In Grand Junction, CO, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,270 (2026 est.). At $28,783, the local median is 5.16% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Junction: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Grand Junction Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Grand Junction median: $28,783/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Junction Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $32,596 | -11.70% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -5.16% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Grand Junction, CO earn a median of $28,783 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.16% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 11.70% below the Colorado state average of $32,596.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Junction has a cost of living 4.52% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Junction, CO has a cost-of-living index of 95.476 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $28,783 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $30,147 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.74% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,020
2025 BLS Actual
$28,130
2026 Current Est.
$28,783
2021–2027 Growth
+-20.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Grand Junction (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,783 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29,450 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Junction metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -24.0% from $37,020 (2021) to $28,130 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $29,450 by 2027 — a total increase of $-7,570 (-20.45%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Junction 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $25,216 – $27,886 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $27,886 – $28,783 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $28,783 – $34,486 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $34,486 – $40,486 |
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 Grand Junction
In the local job market, the presence of around 60 medical billing and coding specialists translates into a stable but competitive environment for employment in Grand Junction, CO. With a cost of living index at 95.476, professionals in this sector may find their take-home pay stretches further than in many other regions. Among local employers, those in physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments typically offer the highest salaries, while opportunities in remote coding for third-party companies are also growing. The salary variation can be attributed to factors like specialty—where inpatient CCS roles often command higher wages compared to outpatient CPC positions—as well as the premium associated with audit and compliance subspecialties. To maximize income, individuals should consider obtaining multiple certifications and keeping abreast of recent changes in coding standards, especially as ICD-10-CM updates continue to evolve and the demand for risk adjustment coding grows.
More salary data for Grand Junction, CO:
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
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 $28,130 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Grand Junction 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