Medical Billing Salary

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Bristol, VA: $13.37 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Bristol, VA runs $13.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $27,823 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Bristol's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $12.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $16,690 per year.

$27,823
Median Annual Salary
$13.37/hr
Hourly Rate
$21,428
Entry Level (P10)
$41,675
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Rate in Bristol, VA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Bristol, VA medical billing and coding specialist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Bristol, Virginia, medical billing and coding specialists are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $13.37 in 2026. This figure places local coders below the national hourly median, which stands at $14.59. For part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week, this pay translates to approximately $1,072 in weekly income based on a standard 24-hour workweek. The hourly rate varies depending on experience and type of employment; entry-level positions might start around $10.30 per hour, while experienced coders can command up to $20.03 per hour. Many specialists work remotely from home offices, reflecting a significant shift in the workforce post-2020; others find roles within hospital HIM departments, physician coding practices, or third-party coding firms, each offering unique work environments that influence earning potential.

About the Bristol Market

Salary estimated from Virginia average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$10.30$82.43
Lower Range (P25)$11.63$93.07
Median (P50)$13.37$106.99
Upper Range (P75)$16.59$132.69
Top Earners (P90)$20.03$160.27

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bristol

Based on $13.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a medical billing and coding specialist in Bristol earning $13.37/hr would make approximately $16,048 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $27,816 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$16,048Reduced (32 hr/wk)$21,397Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$27,816

At $13.37/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bristol, VA can expect to earn approximately $27,816 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,048. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bristol.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$106.99
per 8hr shift
$534.93
per week
$2,318
per month
$27,816
per year

Schedule Comparison in Bristol

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$534.93$2,318$27,816
Part-Time (24 hrs)$320.96$1,391$16,690
Per Diem (16 hrs)$213.97$927$11,127

Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Bristol)$13.37
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in Bristol ($27,823) with Virginia average ($28,333) and the US national median ($30,349).Bristol$27,823Virginia Avg$28,333-1.80%US National$30,349-8.32%

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bristol, VA earn a median of $27,823 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.32% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.80% below the Virginia state average of $28,333.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $13.37/hr = $16,690/year (purchasing power: $16,172).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $27,816/year (purchasing power: $26,954).

CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).

2021 BLS Actual

$11.93/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$13.07/hr

2026 Current Est.

$13.37/hr

2021–2027 Growth

+14.7%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bristol (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Bristol. Baseline $11.93/hr in 2025, projected to $13.68/hr by 2027.$9$14$18$23$2720212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$11.93$12.06$12.47$24.81$13.07$13.37$13.68
YearHourly RateStatus
2021$11.93/hrActual
2022$12.06/hrActual
2023$12.47/hrActual
2024$24.81/hrActual
2025$13.07/hrActual
2026(current)$13.37/hrEstimated
2027$13.68/hrProjected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Bristol grew 9.6% from $11.93/hr (2021) to $13.07/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.68/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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Bristol

Examining the earning potential reveals that a part-time billing and coding specialist in Bristol can earn about $55,776 annually when working 24 hours per week at the median hourly rate. In contrast, full-time specialists typically earn a higher annual income, often supplemented with benefits. Per-diem medical billing and coding specialists generally charge significantly more on an hourly basis, with rates ranging from $25 to $42. Specialized roles, such as certified coding specialists and risk adjustment coders in Medicare Advantage settings, can command even higher pay, with some specialists earning between $40 to $65 per hour. Across various employer types in Bristol, rates differ: physician group practices may offer a lower base pay, while thriving third-party coding companies might present higher wages but without benefits. Many coders must weigh these trade-offs critically, as accepting lower hourly wages can provide health insurance and other essential benefits. For those seeking to maximize pay in this field, negotiating effectively with a clear understanding of the local job market and available roles is key.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Bristol in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Bristol is $13.37/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Rates range from $10.30 at entry level (10th percentile) to $20.03 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 8.3% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Bristol?

A part-time medical billing and coding specialist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Bristol earns approximately $1,391/month, or $16,690/year at the median hourly rate of $13.37. Many medical billing and coding specialists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are medical billing and coding specialists in Bristol paid hourly or salary?

The majority of medical billing and coding specialists in Bristol are paid hourly at a median rate of $13.37/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $27,816/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Bristol?

A full-time medical billing and coding specialist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Bristol earns approximately $27,816/year at the median hourly rate of $13.37. This is 8.3% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $41,671/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Bristol?

Part-time and per diem medical billing and coding specialists in Bristol sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $20.03/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Virginia

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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 Bristol. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Bristol is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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