John BlessingMedical billing and coding specialists are essential to the healthcare revenue cycle, ensuring that patient records are accurate and that providers are properly reimbursed for their services. In Texas, the demand for these professionals remains strong, with salaries varying significantly based on location, experience, certification, and practice setting.
The statewide average salary ranges from approximately $42,000 to $61,000 per year depending on the data source and methodology, with certified coders and those in major metropolitan areas earning at the higher end of the spectrum. This comprehensive guide covers the top 20 medical billing and coding salaries in Texas by city and role, drawing on salary survey data and industry compensation analyses.
TOP 20 MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING SALARIES IN TEXAS
1. Trauma Surgical Profee Coder – Austin – $121,000
The highest-paying medical coding role identified in Texas is the Trauma Surgical Profee Coder position at an HCA Healthcare facility in Austin. The estimated total pay ranges from $101,000 to $144,000 per year, with a median of $121,000.
This premium salary reflects the specialized nature of the work, which requires expertise in trauma and surgical coding, as well as the high demand for qualified coders in the Austin market. The role requires advanced certification and extensive experience in surgical coding.
2. Certified Medical Coder – Houston – $65,692
Houston offers one of the highest average salaries for certified medical coders in Texas, at $65,692 per year. The city’s massive healthcare industry, including the Texas Medical Center, creates strong demand for certified coders across hospital systems, specialty practices, and billing companies throughout the metropolitan area.
This salary reflects both the volume of positions available and the competitive nature of the Houston healthcare job market. The city’s diverse patient population and numerous teaching hospitals contribute to the demand for skilled coders.
3. Certified Medical Coder – Galveston – $65,468
Galveston follows closely behind Houston with an average salary of $65,468 for certified medical coders. The city’s healthcare infrastructure, anchored by the University of Texas Medical Branch, provides steady employment opportunities for coding professionals.
The proximity to Houston also allows coders to access a broader range of job opportunities while enjoying a smaller coastal community setting. The island city’s medical facilities serve both local residents and the broader Gulf Coast region.
4. Certified Medical Coder – Austin – $65,290
Austin offers an average salary of $65,290 for certified medical coders, reflecting the city’s growing healthcare sector and relatively high cost of living compared to other Texas cities. The demand for skilled coders in Austin has increased significantly as the city’s population and healthcare infrastructure have expanded in recent years.
The presence of major hospital systems and specialty clinics ensures consistent demand for qualified coding professionals.
5. Certified Medical Coder – Dallas – $65,118
Dallas offers an average salary of $65,118 for certified medical coders. The city’s extensive hospital systems and specialty surgical centers provide diverse employment opportunities for coding professionals.
Dallas is home to several major healthcare networks, including Baylor Scott & White and UT Southwestern, which employ large teams of medical coders. The city’s central location in the DFW metroplex provides access to a wide range of healthcare employers.
6. Certified Medical Coder – Fort Worth – $64,254
Fort Worth follows closely behind Dallas with an average salary of $64,254 for certified medical coders. The city’s growing healthcare sector serves the western portion of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and offers a slightly lower cost of living than its eastern neighbor while maintaining competitive salaries. Fort Worth’s medical facilities include major hospital systems and specialty practices that employ numerous coding professionals.
7. Certified Medical Coder – Beaumont – $63,628
Beaumont offers an average salary of $63,628 for certified medical coders. This southeast Texas city has a growing healthcare sector serving the Golden Triangle region.
The area’s industrial base and the presence of major medical facilities contribute to steady demand for skilled coding professionals. Beaumont’s healthcare employers include hospital systems and specialty clinics that serve the surrounding communities.
8. Certified Medical Coder – Port Arthur – $62,461
Port Arthur offers an average salary of $62,461 for certified medical coders. The city’s healthcare facilities serve the surrounding industrial and residential communities.
While smaller than Beaumont, Port Arthur provides competitive salaries for coders willing to work in the region. The city’s medical facilities support the healthcare needs of the local population and surrounding areas.
9. Certified Medical Coder – Corpus Christi – $61,894
Corpus Christi offers an average salary of $61,894 for certified medical coders. The coastal city’s growing healthcare infrastructure and tourism-driven economy contribute to steady demand for coding professionals.
The relatively lower cost of living compared to major metropolitan areas makes this salary competitive in terms of purchasing power. The city’s medical facilities serve both residents and visitors to the Gulf Coast region.
10. Certified Medical Coder – San Antonio – $61,406
San Antonio offers an average salary of $61,406 for certified medical coders. The city’s robust healthcare infrastructure, including major military medical facilities and numerous hospitals, provides extensive employment opportunities.
The presence of multiple hospital systems and a growing population ensure consistent demand for qualified coders. San Antonio’s healthcare sector is one of the largest in Texas and continues to expand.
11. Certified Medical Coder – Longview – $60,205
Longview offers an average salary of $60,205 for certified medical coders. This east Texas city has a growing healthcare sector, and the relatively lower cost of living makes the salary competitive in terms of purchasing power. Longview’s healthcare facilities serve the surrounding region and provide stable employment for coding professionals. The city’s medical employers include hospitals and specialty clinics.
12. Certified Medical Coder – Amarillo – $59,975
Amarillo offers an average salary of $59,975 for certified medical coders. The city’s healthcare facilities serve the Texas Panhandle region and provide steady employment opportunities. The lower cost of living in Amarillo means that coders can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle on this salary. The city’s medical facilities include major hospital systems and specialty practices.
13. Certified Medical Coder – Killeen – $59,955
Killeen offers an average salary of $59,955 for certified medical coders. The city’s proximity to Fort Cavazos, formerly Fort Hood, contributes to steady demand for healthcare services.
The military installation and surrounding communities require ongoing medical support, creating consistent opportunities for coders. Killeen’s healthcare employers serve both military personnel and civilian residents.
14. Certified Medical Coder – Temple – $59,541
Temple offers an average salary of $59,541 for certified medical coders. The city is home to Baylor Scott & White Medical Center, one of the largest healthcare systems in Texas.
This major medical facility anchors the local healthcare economy and employs a significant number of coding professionals. Temple’s central location in Texas makes it a hub for healthcare services in the region.
15. Certified Medical Coder – Waco – $59,045
Waco offers an average salary of $59,045 for certified medical coders. The city’s healthcare sector serves the surrounding Central Texas region. Waco’s growing population and expanding healthcare infrastructure have created new opportunities for coding professionals in recent years. The city’s medical facilities include hospitals and specialty clinics that serve the broader region.
16. Certified Medical Coder – Lubbock – $58,867
Lubbock offers an average salary of $58,867 for certified medical coders. The city’s healthcare facilities serve the South Plains region and provide stable employment opportunities. Lubbock is home to Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, which contributes to the local healthcare workforce. The city’s medical facilities include major hospitals and specialty practices.
17. Certified Medical Coder – Wichita Falls – $58,478
Wichita Falls offers an average salary of $58,478 for certified medical coders. This north Texas city provides a competitive salary with a lower cost of living than major metropolitan areas, making it an attractive option for coders seeking to maximize their disposable income. The city’s healthcare facilities serve the surrounding region and provide stable employment.
18. Certified Medical Coder – Abilene – $58,174
Abilene offers an average salary of $58,174 for certified medical coders. The city’s healthcare sector serves the surrounding West Texas communities. Abilene’s medical facilities provide steady employment for coding professionals in a relatively affordable setting. The city’s healthcare employers include hospitals and specialty clinics that serve the region.
19. Certified Medical Coder – El Paso – $57,423
El Paso offers an average salary of $57,423 for certified medical coders. The city’s healthcare facilities serve the border region and surrounding communities.
El Paso’s unique position on the U.S.-Mexico border creates specific healthcare needs that require skilled coding professionals. The city’s medical facilities include major hospitals and specialty practices.
20. Certified Medical Coder – Harlingen – $56,958
Harlingen offers an average salary of $56,958 for certified medical coders. Located in the Rio Grande Valley, the city’s growing healthcare sector and proximity to the Mexico border create steady demand for coding professionals.
The lower cost of living in the Valley makes this salary competitive for the region. Harlingen’s medical facilities serve the surrounding communities and provide stable employment.
COMPARISON TABLE
| Rank | Role / City | Average Annual Salary | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Trauma Surgical ProFee Coder (Austin) | $121,000 | Specialized trauma and surgical coding; HCA facility |
| 2 | Certified Medical Coder (Houston) | $65,692 | Largest healthcare market in Texas |
| 3 | Certified Medical Coder (Galveston) | $65,468 | UTMB healthcare system |
| 4 | Certified Medical Coder (Austin) | $65,290 | Growing healthcare sector |
| 5 | Certified Medical Coder (Dallas) | $65,118 | Extensive hospital systems |
| 6 | Certified Medical Coder (Fort Worth) | $64,254 | Western DFW Metroplex |
| 7 | Certified Medical Coder (Beaumont) | $63,628 | Golden Triangle region |
| 8 | Certified Medical Coder (Port Arthur) | $62,461 | Industrial and residential communities |
| 9 | Certified Medical Coder (Corpus Christi) | $61,894 | Coastal city; growing infrastructure |
| 10 | Certified Medical Coder (San Antonio) | $61,406 | Military medical facilities |
| 11 | Certified Medical Coder (Longview) | $60,205 | East Texas; lower cost of living |
| 12 | Certified Medical Coder (Amarillo) | $59,975 | Texas Panhandle region |
| 13 | Certified Medical Coder (Killeen) | $59,955 | Near Fort Cavazos |
| 14 | Certified Medical Coder (Temple) | $59,541 | Baylor Scott & White |
| 15 | Certified Medical Coder (Waco) | $59,045 | Central Texas region |
| 16 | Certified Medical Coder (Lubbock) | $58,867 | South Plains region |
| 17 | Certified Medical Coder (Wichita Falls) | $58,478 | Lower cost of living |
| 18 | Certified Medical Coder (Abilene) | $58,174 | West Texas communities |
| 19 | Certified Medical Coder (El Paso) | $57,423 | Border region |
| 20 | Certified Medical Coder (Harlingen) | $56,958 | Rio Grande Valley |
TIPS FOR UNDERSTANDING MEDICAL BILLING AND CODING SALARIES IN TEXAS
Certification Significantly Increases Pay: Certified medical coders in Texas earn an average of $65,692 in Houston and $65,118 in Dallas, while non-certified medical billing and coding specialists earn significantly less, with averages ranging from $36,553 to $45,817 depending on the city. Certification is one of the most important factors in determining earning potential.
Location Matters Dramatically: Salaries for certified coders vary by more than $8,000 across Texas cities, from $65,692 in Houston to $56,958 in Harlingen. Major metropolitan areas with large healthcare systems offer the highest compensation, while smaller cities and rural areas typically offer lower salaries but often with a lower cost of living.
Specialization Drives Premium Pay: The Trauma Surgical Profee Coder position in Austin, with an estimated total pay of $121,000, demonstrates that specialized coding skills command significantly higher salaries. Coders with expertise in trauma, surgical, or DRG validation can earn well above the average.
Experience Increases Earnings: While the salary growth for medical billing and coding specialists is more gradual than for some other healthcare roles, experience still matters. Entry-level specialists earn around $44,508, while expert-level professionals with over 8 years of experience earn $47,414 in the Fort Worth market.
Data Sources Vary: Different sources report different salary figures due to differences in methodology. Some sources report median wages of $46,110 in San Antonio and $52,140 in Dallas-Fort Worth, while other sources report higher averages for certified coders. Always consider the source and methodology when comparing salaries.
CONCLUSION
Medical billing and coding salaries in Texas vary widely depending on certification, location, specialization, and experience. Certified medical coders earn significantly more than non-certified specialists, with average salaries ranging from $56,958 in Harlingen to $65,692 in Houston. The highest-paying role identified is the Trauma Surgical Profee Coder position in Austin, with estimated total pay of $121,000. Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists can expect to earn around $37,000 to $44,000, while experienced and certified professionals can earn over $65,000.
Specialized skills in trauma, surgical, or DRG validation coding command premium salaries. By understanding the factors that influence medical billing and coding salaries in Texas—certification, location, specialization, and experience—professionals can make informed decisions about their careers and maximize their earning potential in the Lone Star State.