Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Philadelphia, PA: $14.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Philadelphia, PA runs $14.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $29,495 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Philadelphia's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $13.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $17,699 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Philadelphia, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay stands at a median rate of $14.18, slightly below the national hourly median of $14.59. This rate provides a solid foundation for both part-time and per-diem workers. A part-time schedule of three days a week means earning around $564 weekly, which can be a feasible income for many, especially in various work environments. These specialists commonly operate from remote home offices, hospital HIM departments, or physician group coding cubicles. Those at entry-level positions may earn as little as $10.95 per hour, while top earners in the field can make up to $23.87 hourly. The official BLS data projects these figures for 2026, underscoring the evolving dynamics of compensation in this important healthcare role.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.95 | $87.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $12.73 | $101.83 |
| Median (P50) | $14.18 | $113.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.64 | $149.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.87 | $190.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Philadelphia
Based on $14.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $14.18/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Philadelphia, PA can expect to earn approximately $29,498 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $17,018. With a cost-of-living index of 102.55 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Philadelphia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Philadelphia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $567.26 | $2,458 | $29,498 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $340.36 | $1,475 | $17,699 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $226.90 | $983 | $11,799 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Philadelphia) | $14.18 |
| 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 Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $29,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.81% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 4.30% above the Pennsylvania state average of $28,279.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $14.18/hr = $17,699/year (purchasing power: $17,258).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $29,498/year (purchasing power: $28,763).
CoL index: 102.554 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$23.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$14.18/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Philadelphia (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $23.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Philadelphia grew -41.2% from $23.57/hr (2021) to $13.86/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.51/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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
Shifting the focus to earnings potential, part-time medical billing and coding specialists working 24 hours a week can expect an annual income of approximately $29,495, markedly lower than their full-time counterparts but still providing viable earnings. For those opting for per-diem arrangements, the financial landscape changes significantly, with many 1099 billers charging between $25 and $42 per hour, while CCS inpatient coders can command rates up to $55 hourly. Variations depend on employer types; those working in hospital inpatient coding departments or third-party coding companies often see divergent pay scales. Many professionals find themselves weighing the benefits of consistent hourly pay against the allure of higher per diem rates that come without health insurance. To negotiate effectively in this market, candidates should emphasize their certifications, such as CPC or CCS, and showcase specialized skills in growth areas like risk adjustment coding to secure better offers.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
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 Philadelphia. 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