Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Pine Bluff, AR: $11.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Pine Bluff, AR runs $11.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $23,883 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Pine Bluff's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $13.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $14,327 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Pine Bluff, Arkansas, the median hourly pay for medical billing and coding specialists is projected to be $11.48 in 2026. This figure places local professionals below the national median of $14.59 per hour, emphasizing the economic factors at play in the region. For those considering part-time or per-diem roles—common in settings such as remote home offices, hospital HIM departments, and third-party coding companies—this hourly rate translates to manageable earnings when working three days a week. Entry-level coders in Pine Bluff can expect to earn approximately $8.24, while experienced specialists may earn up to $17.79 per hour. It’s crucial for prospective coders to understand how these numbers impact their financial planning and work-life balance, and to consider the broader implications of opting for positions that may offer less pay but greater job security and benefits.
About the Pine Bluff Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $8.24 | $65.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $9.60 | $76.78 |
| Median (P50) | $11.48 | $91.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $14.66 | $117.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $17.79 | $142.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pine Bluff
Based on $11.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $11.48/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pine Bluff, AR can expect to earn approximately $23,879 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $13,776. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pine Bluff.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pine Bluff
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $459.21 | $1,990 | $23,879 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $275.53 | $1,194 | $14,327 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $183.68 | $796 | $9,552 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Pine Bluff) | $11.48 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Pine Bluff, AR earn a median of $23,883 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.31% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 2.40% below the Arkansas state average of $24,470.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $11.48/hr = $14,327/year (purchasing power: $16,487).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $23,879/year (purchasing power: $27,479).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$11.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$11.48/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-34.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Pine Bluff (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $11.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $11.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $11.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Pine Bluff grew -37.8% from $18.03/hr (2021) to $11.22/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $11.75/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical billing and coding specialists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pine Bluff 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Pine Bluff
For those contemplating a part-time schedule as a medical billing and coding specialist in Pine Bluff, working around 24 hours a week may yield a significantly lower annual income compared to full-time employees. While full-time professionals enjoy more consistent earnings, part-time workers can still make a viable living by balancing other commitments. Additionally, per diem coding positions offer a lucrative alternative, where medical coders can bill anywhere from $25 to $42 per hour or more, depending on their specific qualifications, such as CCS designations. Different employer types in Pine Bluff, including physician group practices and ambulatory surgery centers, can affect hourly rates. Those positions might range in pay, allowing specialists to weigh the trade-off between accepting lower hourly rates with benefits versus higher rates without them. Negotiating hourly pay can be key for medical billing and coding specialists, as candidates should be prepared to leverage their experience and credentials, such as AAPC or AHIMA certification, to discuss compensation that reflects their skills in understanding complex coding systems like ICD-10-CM and CPT codes.
More salary data for Pine Bluff, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Pine Bluff in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Pine Bluff?
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Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Pine Bluff?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical billing and coding specialists in Pine Bluff. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pine Bluff is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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