Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Providence, RI: $36,812 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Providence, RI earns a median $36,812/year (≈ $17.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Providence's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.8), that paycheck buys what $36,171 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 108.1% above the Rhode Island state average.
Official BLS data · View source

The projected median annual salary for medical billing and coding specialists in Providence, Rhode Island, is $36,812 in 2026, representing a notable increase from previous years. This figure places the local compensation above the national median of $30,349, providing a 21.30% advantage to those working in this field. As per data derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, the salary range for these specialists in Providence is between $25,554 and $50,171, offering a wide gap that reflects varying levels of expertise and specialization. This favorable salary landscape is further boosted by the increasing prevalence of remote work, which has broadened the job market, allowing local coders to access opportunities beyond their geographic borders.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25,554 | $12.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,925 | $13.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,812 | $17.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,313 | $19.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,171 | $24.13 |
Median Salary Position
21.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Providence
In Providence, RI, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,617 (2026 est.). At $36,812, the local median is 21.3% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Providence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Providence Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Providence median: $36,812/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Providence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $17,689 | +108.10% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +21.30% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Providence, RI earn a median of $36,812 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.30% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 108.10% above the Rhode Island state average of $17,689.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Providence has a cost of living 1.77% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Providence, RI has a cost-of-living index of 101.773 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $36,812 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $36,171 — a 1.74% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$47,260
2025 BLS Actual
$35,977
2026 Current Est.
$36,812
2021–2027 Growth
+-20.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Providence (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,977 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,812 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,666 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Providence metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -23.9% from $47,260 (2021) to $35,977 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,666 by 2027 — a total increase of $-9,594 (-20.30%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Providence 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) | $25,554 – $28,925 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,925 – $36,812 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,812 – $40,313 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,313 – $50,171 |
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 Providence
In Providence, the medical billing and coding job market is robust, with approximately 860 specialists currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 101.773, slightly above the national average, which suggests that while salaries are competitive, they need to be carefully balanced against living expenses. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay in Providence include physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments, particularly for specialized roles linked to inpatient coding and compliance audits. Variances in pay often arise from factors like specialty credentials, with those holding multiple certifications such as CPC, CCS, and CRC commanding premium salaries. Additionally, productivity bonuses related to the volume of charts coded can significantly enhance earnings. Coders looking to maximize their pay in this market should focus on obtaining relevant certifications, pursuing continuous education in fast-evolving areas like HCC coding, and being open to remote work opportunities that can diversify their employment potential.
More salary data for Providence, RI:
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 $35,977 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Providence 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