John BlessingMedical billing and coding specialists play a critical role in the healthcare revenue cycle, translating patient records and physician notes into standardized codes that insurance companies use for reimbursement. In Texas, one of the nation’s largest healthcare markets, demand for these professionals remains steady across hospitals, physician practices, and billing companies. Salaries vary widely depending on certification, experience, geographic location, and employer type.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of medical billing and coding salaries in Texas, including statewide averages, city-by-city breakdowns, and the factors that influence earning potential.
Billing and Coding Salary in Texas
1. Texas Statewide Salary Overview
The average salary for medical billing and coding specialists in Texas falls within a broad range depending on the source and methodology used. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data cited by TradeCareerPath, the median annual wage for medical records specialists in Texas is $48,860, with an average salary of $52,880. Entry-level positions (10th percentile) start at $34,440, while experienced professionals (90th percentile) can earn up to $78,390.
Salary.com reports a lower average of $38,322 for certified medical billing and coding professionals in Texas, with a range from $33,418 to $42,901. ZipRecruiter places the average for certified specialists at $42,550, with top earners reaching $50,775. The variance between sources reflects differences in job titles, certification requirements, and whether certified status is factored into the data.
2. Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex
The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington metro area is the largest employer of medical billing and coding specialists in Texas, with over 5,200 professionals employed in the region. The median annual wage in this metro is $52,140, with an average of $57,030. Entry-level workers earn around $37,950, while experienced specialists can reach $80,190.
For Fort Worth specifically, Indeed reports an average base salary of $60,688, significantly above both the state and national averages. This figure is based on 48 salaries from job postings over the past 36 months. Dallas salaries average $66,762 according to Indeed data, making it one of the highest-paying cities in Texas for this profession. Salary.com places Dallas at $43,289 for medical coding and billing roles, reflecting the different methodologies used by various salary sources.
3. Houston Metropolitan Area
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands employs approximately 3,680 medical billing and coding specialists, second only to Dallas-Fort Worth. The median annual wage is $51,250, with an average of $56,910. Entry-level salaries start at $38,150, and experienced professionals can earn up to $80,510.
ZipRecruiter reports an average of $39,824 for medical coding and billing roles in Houston, with the majority of salaries ranging between $32,700 and $41,900. MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of Houston’s premier employers, offers senior clinical coding specialist positions with a salary range of $67,000 to $100,000. Clinical coding supervisors at MD Anderson earn between $89,000 and $133,000.
4. Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos
The Austin metro area employs approximately 1,320 medical billing and coding specialists. The median annual wage is $48,990, with an average of $52,290. Entry-level salaries in Austin are notably lower than other major metros, starting at $25,890, though experienced professionals can reach $79,700.
Salary.com reports an average of $43,403 for medical coding and billing in Austin, with a range from $37,984 to $48,638. Indeed data cited by ZipRecruiter places Austin at $45,270 for certified specialists, approximately 6.4% above the Texas average.
5. San Antonio-New Braunfels
San Antonio employs about 1,670 medical billing and coding specialists. The median annual wage is $46,110, with an average of $49,740. Entry-level workers earn approximately $34,340, while experienced specialists can reach $72,260. Salary.com places San Antonio at $40,821 for medical coding and billing roles.
6. El Paso
El Paso employs 560 medical billing and coding specialists. The median annual wage is $47,860, with an average of $48,740. Entry-level salaries start at $26,860, and experienced professionals can earn up to $66,390.
7. Other Texas Cities
Beyond the major metros, several Texas cities offer competitive salaries for billing and coding professionals. Tyler has the highest experienced-level salary in the state at $83,170, though employment is limited to about 170 specialists. Midland offers a median of $52,740, benefiting from the Permian Basin’s strong economy. Amarillo has a median of $47,410, with experienced workers earning up to $68,220.
Killeen-Temple offers a median of $49,440 and an average of $53,320. Lubbock has a median of $43,980. Waco, Longview, and Wichita Falls all report medians in the $43,000 to $45,000 range. Brownsville-Harlingen and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, located in the Rio Grande Valley, have the lowest median wages in the state at $38,800 and $39,150 respectively.
Comparison Table – Texas Occupational Salary Statistics by Metropolitan Area
| Rank | City / Metro Area | Median Salary | Average Salary | Entry Level (10th Percentile) | Experienced (90th Percentile) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $52,140 | $57,030 | $37,950 | $80,190 | 5,210 |
| 2 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands | $51,250 | $56,910 | $38,150 | $80,510 | 3,680 |
| 3 | Killeen-Temple | $49,440 | $53,320 | $35,600 | $74,960 | 220 |
| 4 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | $48,990 | $52,290 | $25,890 | $79,700 | 1,320 |
| 5 | El Paso | $47,860 | $48,740 | $26,860 | $66,390 | 560 |
| 6 | Amarillo | $47,410 | $50,230 | $31,100 | $68,220 | 170 |
| 7 | San Antonio-New Braunfels | $46,110 | $49,740 | $34,340 | $72,260 | 1,670 |
| 8 | Tyler | $44,500 | $51,150 | $34,430 | $83,170 | 170 |
| 9 | Lubbock | $43,980 | $45,740 | $29,030 | $64,930 | 200 |
| 10 | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | $39,150 | $42,450 | $22,530 | $63,820 | 410 |
| 11 | Brownsville-Harlingen | $38,800 | $42,420 | $27,830 | $60,580 | 190 |
| — | Texas Statewide | $48,860 | $52,880 | $34,440 | $78,390 | 17,210 |
Tips For Understanding
Certification Significantly Impacts Earnings
Certification from organizations like AAPC (CPC) or AHIMA (CCS) can substantially increase earning potential. ZipRecruiter data shows certified specialists in Texas average $42,550, with top earners reaching $50,775. Non-certified billing and coding professionals often earn less, and many employers now require certification as a condition of employment.
Employer Type Matters
Hospitals and large healthcare systems typically pay more than physician practices or standalone billing companies. MD Anderson Cancer Center offers senior coding specialist positions at $67,000 to $100,000, well above the state average. Academic medical centers, in particular, tend to offer higher salaries and better benefits than smaller providers.
Specialization Increases Value
Coders who specialize in areas like evaluation and management (E/M), surgical coding, or oncology coding command higher salaries. The MD Anderson E/M coder position, for example, requires specialized expertise and compensates accordingly. Generalist coders typically earn less than those with specialized credentials.
Geographic Location Drives Salary Variation
The difference between the highest-paying and lowest-paying metro areas in Texas is substantial. Dallas-Fort Worth offers a median of $52,140, while Brownsville-Harlingen offers $38,800. Professionals willing to relocate to higher-paying metros can increase their earnings significantly.
Experience Creates the Largest Salary Gains
The gap between entry-level and experienced professionals is significant. Statewide, entry-level workers earn $34,440 while experienced specialists earn $78,390, a difference of nearly $44,000. This means that even without changing employers or locations, professionals can expect substantial salary growth over their careers.
Remote Work Expands Opportunities
Many billing and coding positions now offer remote or hybrid work arrangements. This allows professionals in lower-paying Texas metros to access positions with employers in higher-paying markets. Remote work can effectively eliminate geographic salary limitations.
Closing
Medical billing and coding salaries in Texas offer a wide range of earning potential depending on location, certification, experience, and employer type. Statewide, the median salary is approximately $48,860, with experienced professionals earning up to $78,390. The Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston metro areas offer the highest median salaries at $52,140 and $51,250 respectively, while smaller metros in the Rio Grande Valley offer lower wages but potentially lower costs of living.
Certification is a key differentiator in this field, with certified specialists earning an average of $42,550 and top earners reaching over $50,000. Specialization, particularly in high-demand areas like E/M coding or oncology coding, can push salaries even higher, as demonstrated by MD Anderson’s senior coder positions at $67,000 to $100,000.
For those entering the field or considering a career change, medical billing and coding offers a stable career path with clear opportunities for advancement. The combination of certification, experience, and strategic location choices can significantly enhance earning potential. Whether starting at the entry level or seeking to maximize earnings as an experienced specialist, Texas offers diverse opportunities for professionals in this growing field.