Medical Billing Salary

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Columbus, IN: $29,240 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Columbus, IN earns a median $29,240/year (โ‰ˆ $14.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.0), that paycheck buys what $31,440 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the Indiana state average.

$29,240
Median Annual Salary
$14.06/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$22,516
Entry Level (P10)
$46,064
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data ยท View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Columbus, IN โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Columbus, IN medical billing and coding specialist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Columbus, Indiana, the financial outlook for medical billing and coding specialists is shaped by new work-from-home standards expanding job opportunities beyond local borders. The 2026 projected median annual salary stands at $29,240, slightly below the national median of $30,349, reflecting a small regional variance. This comprehensive salary analysis also reveals a wide pay range, from $22,516 at the 10th percentile up to $46,064 for the top earners. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, also highlight the growing importance of remote roles in this field, which can open doors to higher-paying positions typically found in large metropolitan areas. Such trends indicate a competitive job market for medical billing and coding specialists in Columbus, with promising opportunities for those willing to adapt to evolving industry demands.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$22,516$10.83
Lower Range (P25)$26,337$12.67
Median (P50)(typical)$29,240$14.06
Upper Range (P75)$35,257$16.94
Top Earners (P90)$46,064$22.15

Median Salary Position

$22,516$46,064
City Median: $29,240
National: $30,349
P10โ€“P90 Range

3.65% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Columbus. The median salary is $29,240, compared to the national median of $30,349.$20.3K$27.3K$34.3K$41.3K$48.4K$22.5K10th Pctl$26.3K25th Pctl$29.2KMedian$35.3K75th Pctl$46.1K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

In Columbus, IN, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,548 (2026 est.). At $29,240, the local median is 3.65% below 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 Columbus metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$562
per week
$2,437
per month
$29,242
per year

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

How Columbus Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares

Columbus median: $29,240/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryColumbus Pays
Indiana Average$28,695+1.90% more
National Average$30,349-3.65% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in Columbus ($29,240) with Indiana average ($28,695) and the US national median ($30,349).Columbus$29,240Indiana Avg$28,695+1.90%US National$30,349-3.65%

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Columbus, IN earn a median of $29,240 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.65% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.90% above the Indiana state average of $28,695.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$29,240
Nominal Salary
93.003
CoL Index
$31,440
Adjusted Salary

Columbus has a cost of living 7.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

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

The nominal salary is $29,240. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 93.003, the purchasing-power equivalent is $31,440, a gain of $2,200.$24.9K$27.7K$30.5K$33.3K$36.2K$29,240NominalSalary$31,440CoL Adjusted(CoL: 93.003)โ–ฒ 7.52%US Median $30.3K

Columbus, IN has a cost-of-living index of 93.003 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $29,240 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $31,440 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 7.52% boost.

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2021 BLS Actual

$45,940

2025 BLS Actual

$28,577

2026 Current Est.

$29,240

2021โ€“2027 Growth

+-34.9%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Columbus (2021โ€“2027)

2021โ€“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 Columbus. Baseline $45,940 in 2025, projected to $29,918 by 2027.$24.9K$31.3K$37.8K$44.2K$50.6K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$45.9K$38.7K$40.4K$47.0K$28.6K$29.2K$29.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$45,940Actual
2022$38,730Actual
2023$40,390Actual
2024$46,970Actual
2025$28,577Actual
2026(current)$29,240Estimated
2027$29,918Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -37.8% from $45,940 (2021) to $28,577 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $29,918 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $-16,022 (-34.88%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (2021โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$22,516 โ€“ $26,337
3-5 years (Mid Career)$26,337 โ€“ $29,240
5+ years (Experienced)$29,240 โ€“ $35,257
10+ years (Top Earner)$35,257 โ€“ $46,064

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 Columbus

With 50 medical billing and coding specialists currently employed in Columbus, the local job market appears to be stable. However, the cost of living index at 93.003 suggests that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national averages, the purchasing power remains relatively favorable for residents. Employers offering competitive pay in Columbus include physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments. Factors affecting the disparity in compensation include coding specialty, with inpatient CCS positions generally commanding higher pay than outpatient CPC roles, as well as credential stacking, where certifications such as CPC, CCS, and CRC can lead to increased earnings. Additionally, experience in audit and compliance specialties tends to attract premiums, as do productivity bonuses linked to work output, a key aspect of remote work arrangements. For those looking to maximize their medical billing and coding specialist pay in Columbus, pursuing further certifications and staying abreast of industry changes, such as updates in ICD-10-CM and CPT coding, can be especially beneficial.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Columbus, IN in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Columbus is $29,240/year ($14.06/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $22,516 at entry level (10th percentile) to $46,064 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Columbus at 3.7% below 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 Columbus, IN a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Columbus medical billing and coding specialist salaries are 3.7% below the national average and 1.9% above the Indiana state average. The metro area employs approximately 50 medical billing and coding specialists. With a cost-of-living index of 93.003, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. 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 Columbus?

The median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Columbus is $29,240, and the 90th percentile earns $46,064. 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 Columbus?

After adjusting for Columbus's cost-of-living index of 93.003 (where 100 equals the national average), the $29,240 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $31,440 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 7.5% further in Columbus compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for medical billing and coding specialists seeking strong real wages.

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

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Columbus earn a median hourly rate of $14.06, which translates to approximately $29,240/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $10.83 for entry-level positions to $22.15 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

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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 $28,577 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Columbus 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 (P10โ€“P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (โ€“). 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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

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