Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Asheville, NC: $12.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Asheville, NC runs $12.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $26,278 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Asheville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.5, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $13.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $15,770 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Asheville, North Carolina, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected to be $12.64 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $14.59. For part-time professionals working three days a week, earning this rate, the financial implications can be substantial, especially as many coders in Asheville often work from home or in various healthcare settings like hospital HIM departments and third-party coding companies. For entry-level positions in this city, the hourly rate may start as low as $10.83, while experienced top earners can reach up to $19.04. This range reflects the current demand and typical entry points in this critical healthcare role.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.83 | $86.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.10 | $88.81 |
| Median (P50) | $12.64 | $101.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $15.15 | $121.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $19.04 | $152.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Asheville
Based on $12.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $12.64/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Asheville, NC can expect to earn approximately $26,284 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $15,164. With a cost-of-living index of 96.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Asheville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Asheville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $505.46 | $2,190 | $26,284 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $303.28 | $1,314 | $15,770 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $202.18 | $876 | $10,514 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Asheville) | $12.64 |
| 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 Asheville, NC earn a median of $26,278 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.41% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 6.50% below the North Carolina state average of $28,105.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $12.64/hr = $15,770/year (purchasing power: $16,341).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $26,284/year (purchasing power: $27,236).
CoL index: 96.506 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$22.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$12.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$12.64/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-42.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Asheville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $12.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $12.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $12.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Asheville grew -45.3% from $22.57/hr (2021) to $12.35/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $12.93/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 Asheville 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 Asheville
Looking more closely at the earning potential for a part-time medical billing and coding specialist in Asheville, one can anticipate an annual income that significantly differs from full-time earnings. For those working a 24-hour week, the take-home pay would translate into much less compared to their full-time counterparts. Some specialists opt for per-diem roles, where they can expect to bill anywhere between $25-$42 per hour or even more depending on their expertise, particularly in coding specialties like CCS or CRC for Medicare Advantage. The diversity of employer types in Asheville—from physician group practices to insurance companies—also leads to variability in pay, often presenting a trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits versus lower, more stable rates with job security. Practical tips for negotiating hourly pay include emphasizing specialized credentials from AAPC or AHIMA and articulating the value of remote work efficiencies, especially in a landscape that has shifted towards greater accessibility for coding professionals.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Asheville in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Asheville?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Asheville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Asheville?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Asheville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Asheville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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