Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Hickory, NC: $11.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Hickory, NC runs $11.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $23,679 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Hickory's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.5, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $12.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $14,212 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hickory, NC, medical billing and coding specialists earn a median hourly rate of $11.39, significantly lower than the national median of $14.59. This disparity suggests that local opportunities may yield less hourly income compared to other areas. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, this translates to a more modest earning potential, while per-diem roles can vary greatly. Medical billing and coding specialists typically work in settings such as remote home offices, hospital HIM departments, and third-party coding companies, where they might find greater flexibility. The hourly range for professionals in this field spans from $8.89 for entry-level positions to as much as $16.90 for experienced top earners, emphasizing the potential for growth in this career.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $8.89 | $71.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $10.47 | $83.74 |
| Median (P50) | $11.39 | $91.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $13.96 | $111.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $16.90 | $135.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hickory
Based on $11.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $11.39/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hickory, NC can expect to earn approximately $23,687 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $13,666. With a cost-of-living index of 88.49 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hickory.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hickory
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $455.53 | $1,974 | $23,687 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $273.32 | $1,184 | $14,212 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $182.21 | $790 | $9,475 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Hickory) | $11.39 |
| 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 Hickory, NC earn a median of $23,679 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.98% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 15.80% below the North Carolina state average of $28,122.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $11.39/hr = $14,212/year (purchasing power: $16,062).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $23,687/year (purchasing power: $26,770).
CoL index: 88.486 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$17.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$11.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$11.39/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-34.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Hickory (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $11.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $11.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $11.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Hickory grew -37.0% from $17.67/hr (2021) to $11.13/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $11.65/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 Hickory 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 Hickory
For part-time medical billing and coding specialists who work around 24 hours each week, annual earnings will notably differ from full-time wages. While many accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others might find that working on a per-diem basis, earning anywhere from $25 to $42 per hour, allows for a more lucrative financial scenario. The variation in pay across different employer types in Hickory can be significant; for instance, inpatient coders working within hospitals may experience different compensation compared to specialists employed by insurance companies or third-party agencies. Knowing the nuanced market landscape can empower coders to negotiate better terms, balancing hourly pay with desired benefits. As the field continues to evolve, especially with the demand for risk adjustment coding and the prevalence of remote work, understanding these dynamics will aid local specialists in maximizing their earning potential within the medical billing and coding profession.
More salary data for Hickory, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Hickory in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Hickory?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Hickory paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Hickory?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Hickory?
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 Hickory. 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