Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Columbia, SC: $17.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Columbia, SC runs $17.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,180 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.7, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,308 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbia, South Carolina, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected at $17.88 for 2026, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $14.59. This competitive rate benefits both full-time and part-time professionals, particularly those who may work three days a week or engage in per-diem roles. With the shift toward remote work in recent years, many specialists find themselves operating from home offices or within varied settings such as hospital HIM departments, physician group coding cubicles, and third-party coding company production floors. The hourly wage for entry-level positions starts around $10.87, while experienced coders can earn up to $20.42, allowing for flexibility and earning potential tailored to individual circumstances.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.87 | $86.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.00 | $111.98 |
| Median (P50) | $17.88 | $143.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.88 | $143.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $20.42 | $163.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $17.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.88/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, SC can expect to earn approximately $37,181 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,450. With a cost-of-living index of 93.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $715.01 | $3,098 | $37,181 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $429.01 | $1,859 | $22,308 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $286.00 | $1,239 | $14,872 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Columbia) | $17.88 |
| 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 Columbia, SC earn a median of $37,180 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.51% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 18.10% above the South Carolina state average of $31,482.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.88/hr = $22,308/year (purchasing power: $23,818).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,181/year (purchasing power: $39,697).
CoL index: 93.662 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$21.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.88/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-15.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Columbia (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $21.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Columbia grew -19.5% from $21.70/hr (2021) to $17.47/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.29/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
When considering part-time work, a medical billing and coding specialist in Columbia working three days a week might take home closer to $20,000 annually compared to their full-time counterparts. Many per-diem medical billing and coding specialists opt for higher pay structures, billing between $25 and $42 per hour, with CCS inpatient coders reaching $35 to $55. Those specializing in risk adjustment for Medicare Advantage may find themselves in even higher brackets, earning $40 to $65 hourly. Additionally, the compensation varies significantly across different employer types, reflecting variations in workload and benefits provided. Some professionals may accept lower hourly rates for the added security of health insurance, while others might prioritize higher pay without benefits. Negotiating effectively is key for hourly workers; knowing the local market, articulating skills with certifications like CPC or CCS, and understanding the trends in coding specialties can provide leverage in discussions about pay.
More salary data for Columbia, SC:
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 Columbia. 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