Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Charlotte, NC: $14.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Charlotte, NC runs $14.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $30,332 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Charlotte's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $14.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $18,197 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlotte, North Carolina, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay stands at a median rate of $14.58, closely aligning with the national median of $14.59. This hourly wage provides a stable foundation for those considering part-time or per-diem employment, allowing for realistic earnings while working three days a week. Most positions are found in remote home offices, hospital health information management departments, and consulting firm client sites. The hourly range for medical billing and coding specialists varies from $11.46 for entry-level roles to $23.42 for top earners, highlighting the potential income based on experience and specialization, including in-demand fields like risk adjustment coding.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.46 | $91.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $12.93 | $103.47 |
| Median (P50) | $14.58 | $116.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.49 | $163.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.42 | $187.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlotte
Based on $14.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $14.58/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlotte, NC can expect to earn approximately $30,328 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $17,497. With a cost-of-living index of 97.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlotte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlotte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $583.22 | $2,527 | $30,328 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $349.93 | $1,516 | $18,197 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $233.29 | $1,011 | $12,131 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Charlotte) | $14.58 |
| 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 Charlotte, NC earn a median of $30,332 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.06% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 7.90% above the North Carolina state average of $28,111.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $14.58/hr = $18,197/year (purchasing power: $18,692).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $30,328/year (purchasing power: $31,154).
CoL index: 97.348 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$20.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$14.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$14.58/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-26.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Charlotte (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $20.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $14.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Charlotte grew -29.8% from $20.31/hr (2021) to $14.25/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.92/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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte
Transitioning to part-time work as a medical billing and coding specialist has its benefits, especially in Charlotte. A professional working four hours a day for three days a week could earn a total of $22,000 annually. However, this amount pales in comparison to full-time wages, which can hit approximately $30,332 for those employed full-time. For those willing to explore per-diem opportunities, specialists in Charlotte can command rates ranging from $25 to $42 per hour, with experienced CCS inpatient coders potentially earning between $35 and $55. The type of employer can significantly influence hourly rates; for instance, hospital coding departments may offer lower wages compared to private practices, while remote positions with third-party coding companies can be more lucrative. Many specialists must weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits and steady positions that provide health insurance. Those looking to negotiate should consider emphasizing their expertise in current coding practices, including familiarity with ICD-10-CM and ongoing education through organizations like AAPC and AHIMA, to secure better pay in this growing field.
More salary data for Charlotte, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Charlotte. 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