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Medical Billing Specialist I Salary in the United States

How much does a Medical Billing Specialist I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Medical Billing Specialist I in the United States is $43,764 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.

However, a Medical Billing Specialist I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $48,987
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $40,834 to $46,498
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $38,166
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Medical Billing Specialist I Salaries

A Medical Billing Specialist I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Medical Billing Specialist I Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Medical Billing Specialist I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Medical Billing Specialist I (0-1 years): $43,764
  • Medical Billing Specialist II (1-3 years): $48,220
  • Medical Billing Supervisor (3+ years): $65,063
  • Medical Billing Manager (3-5 years): $100,492
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Medical Billing Specialist I0-1 years$43,764
Medical Billing Specialist II1-3 years$48,220
Medical Billing Supervisor3+ years$65,063
Medical Billing Manager3-5 years$100,492
View as Graph

How Do Medical Billing Specialist Is Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Medical Billing Specialist Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $48,456.
  • California: $48,272.
  • Massachusetts: $47,628.

Top Paying Cities for Medical Billing Specialist I

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $55,200
  • San Francisco: $54,595
  • Oakland: $53,445

What Skills Can Increase a Medical Billing Specialist I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 4.02% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Billing Software (Mentioned in 2.04% Job Postings): billing software allows you to track the products and services your customers use, generate and send invoices with, and receive payments. They can automate the repetitive tasks your finance team struggles with on a daily basis.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.53% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 4.02%
Billing Software 2.04%
Microsoft Office 1.53%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Medical Billing Specialist I's salary.

  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Initiative: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Collaboration $47,703
9%
Leadership $45,952
5%
Initiative $45,952
5%
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Medical Billing Specialist I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Medical Billing Specialist I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $47,231. While startup companies pay approximate $40,052.

Medical Billing Specialist I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $40,052
Growth Stage 51~500 $42,339
Established 501~5000 $45,631
Enterprise 5000+ $47,231

Medical Billing Specialist I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Medical Billing Specialist I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Medical Billing Specialist positions in Insurance or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Medical Billing Specialist I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Medical Billing Specialist I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$65,646$32.050%
Financial Services$52,517$25.020%

How Education impacts an Medical Billing Specialist I's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Medical Billing Specialist I enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Medical Billing Specialist I with a Bachelor's Degree is between $42,482 and $44,822.

Medical Billing Specialist I Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Medical Billing Specialist I
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.1%
High School 64.3%
Associates 23.1%
Bachelors 10.6%
Masters 0.8%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Medical Billing Specialist I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Medical Billing Specialist I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$40,834
Average $43,764/year
$46,498
$3,403
Average $3,647/month
$3,875
$785
Average $842/week
$894
$20
Average $21/hour
$22
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $46,498 $3,875 $894 $22
Average $43,764 $3,647 $842 $21
25th Percentile $40,834 $3,403 $785 $20

Medical Billing Specialist I Salary Growth & Career Path

Medical Billing Specialist I

Next Role

Advancement

For a Medical Billing Specialist I, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Medical Billing Specialist II role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $48,220 - a projected growth of 10% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Medical Billing Specialist I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Medical Billing Specialist I

Here are companies hiring for Medical Billing Specialist I and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Medical Billing Specialist I

1. Where can a Medical Billing Specialist I earn the most?

A Medical Billing Specialist I's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Medical Billing Specialist I earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Medical Billing Specialist I is $55,200.

2. What is the highest pay for Medical Billing Specialist I?

The highest pay for Medical Billing Specialist I is $48,987.

3. What is the lowest pay for Medical Billing Specialist I?

The lowest pay for Medical Billing Specialist I is $38,166.

4. What are the responsibilities of Medical Billing Specialist I?

Prepares and processes medical invoices to support timely and efficient billing operations. Documents and inputs payment records in accordance with industry standards and government regulations. Collects and updates patient billing and insurance information to maintain medical billing information systems and ensure organized and accurate records. Prepares and distributes applicable documentation and resources for patients. Liaises with patients, medical providers, and insurance companies, resolving billing inquiries and gathering additional patient information as necessary. Remains knowledgeable and compliant with proper medical and insurance claim processes. Requires a high school diploma. Typically reports to a supervisor. Works under the close direction of senior personnel in the functional area. Possesses a moderate understanding of general aspects of the job. May require 0-1 year of general work experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Medical Billing Specialist I?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Medical Billing Specialist I roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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