Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Cambridge, MA: $35,024 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Cambridge, MA earns a median $35,024/year (≈ $16.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Cambridge's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $32,280 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median salary for a medical billing and coding specialist in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is $35,024, representing a 15.40% increase over the national median of $30,349. The salary range for this role in Cambridge shows considerable variation, from $24,028 at the 10th percentile to $54,288 at the 90th percentile, reflecting specialization differences among coders. Notably, specialists coding for inpatient services (CCS) typically earn more than those working in outpatient settings (CPC) or involved in risk adjustment (HCC). These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, reinforcing Cambridge’s dynamic job market, which aligns with its reputation for high-quality healthcare services.
About the Cambridge Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24,028 | $11.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,614 | $13.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,024 | $16.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,545 | $21.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,288 | $26.10 |
Median Salary Position
15.40% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cambridge
In Cambridge, MA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,260 (2026 est.). At $35,024, the local median is 15.4% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cambridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cambridge Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Cambridge median: $35,024/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cambridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $34,643 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +15.40% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Cambridge, MA earn a median of $35,024 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.40% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 1.10% above the Massachusetts state average of $34,643.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cambridge has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cambridge, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $35,024 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $32,280 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$31,231
2025 BLS Actual
$34,230
2026 Current Est.
$35,024
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Cambridge (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,231 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,579 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,181 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,024 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,837 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cambridge metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $31,231 (2021) to $34,230 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,837 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,606 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cambridge 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) | $24,028 – $28,614 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,614 – $35,024 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,024 – $44,545 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,545 – $54,288 |
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 Cambridge
The local job market features about 22 medical billing and coding specialists, indicating a modest but steady demand for these professionals in Cambridge. With a cost-of-living index at 108.5, the purchasing power of these salaries is slightly challenged by higher living expenses. Employers that tend to offer higher salaries include physician group practices, hospital inpatient coding departments, and consulting firms, which often pay a premium for specialized skills and experience. Factors influencing pay disparities include specialty area, credential stacking (such as CPC combined with CCS or CRC), and productivity bonuses tied to coding efficiency. To maximize their earning potential in Cambridge, professionals should consider obtaining additional certifications and exploring remote work opportunities, which have become increasingly prevalent since 2020, especially in high-demand subspecialties like risk adjustment and HCC coding.
More salary data for Cambridge, MA:
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 $34,230 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Cambridge 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
Salary data for Cambridge is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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