Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Altoona, PA: $26,391 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Altoona, PA earns a median $26,391/year (≈ $12.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Altoona's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.5), that paycheck buys what $29,485 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for medical billing and coding specialists in Altoona, Pennsylvania, is $26,391, which is significantly below the national median of $30,349. Salaries within the region span from $21,566 at the lower end to $36,118 at the higher end, with the 25th percentile earning $23,370 and the 75th percentile making $29,785. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, underscore the variation based on specialization. For instance, inpatient coding specialists tend to earn more compared to their outpatient counterparts, particularly those involved in HCC and risk adjustment coding, which is rapidly gaining traction in today’s healthcare payment landscape. The pay for these roles tends to reflect the complexity and expertise required, influencing the job market in Altoona significantly.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21,566 | $10.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,370 | $11.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $26,391 | $12.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29,785 | $14.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36,118 | $17.36 |
Median Salary Position
13.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Altoona
In Altoona, PA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,552 (2026 est.). At $26,391, the local median is 13.04% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Altoona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Altoona Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Altoona median: $26,391/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Altoona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $28,256 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -13.04% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Altoona, PA earn a median of $26,391 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.04% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 6.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $28,256.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Altoona has a cost of living 10.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Altoona, PA has a cost-of-living index of 89.507 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $26,391 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $29,485 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.72% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,300
2025 BLS Actual
$25,793
2026 Current Est.
$26,391
2021–2027 Growth
+-27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Altoona (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $25,793 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26,391 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27,004 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Altoona metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -30.8% from $37,300 (2021) to $25,793 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $27,004 by 2027 — a total increase of $-10,296 (-27.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Altoona 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) | $21,566 – $23,370 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,370 – $26,391 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $26,391 – $29,785 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $29,785 – $36,118 |
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 Altoona
As of 2026, there are approximately 70 medical billing and coding specialists employed locally, creating a stable environment for this profession. The cost of living index in Altoona stands at 89.507, which indicates that expenses are below the national average, allowing for a relatively higher purchasing power despite lower salaries than national standards. Employers in the region, including physician group practices and hospital coding departments, often offer more favorable compensation compared to third-party coding companies or ambulatory surgery centers. Factors such as credential stacking, where coders obtain multiple qualifications from recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA, and specialization in areas like audit compliance can drive compensation higher. For those looking to maximize their earnings within Altoona, cultivating a broad skill set, pursuing additional certifications, and seeking remote work opportunities could enhance overall salary prospects.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
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 $25,793 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Altoona 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