Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Wausau, WI: $14.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Wausau, WI runs $14.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $30,076 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Wausau's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $15.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $18,043 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wausau, Wisconsin, the projected median hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist is estimated at $14.46, slightly below the national median of $14.59. This hourly rate provides a meaningful perspective for part-time and per-diem workers in various healthcare environments, including remote positions from home offices, hospital health information management (HIM) departments, and coding teams at physician practices. With a pay range spanning from $11.89 at the entry-level to up to $21.54 for experienced professionals, this data highlights the opportunities within the field. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, making them crucial for anyone looking to enter the profession in this region.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.89 | $95.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.75 | $110.01 |
| Median (P50) | $14.46 | $115.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.23 | $137.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $21.54 | $172.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wausau
Based on $14.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $14.46/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wausau, WI can expect to earn approximately $30,072 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $17,349. With a cost-of-living index of 92.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wausau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wausau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $578.31 | $2,506 | $30,072 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $346.99 | $1,504 | $18,043 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $231.33 | $1,002 | $12,029 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Wausau) | $14.46 |
| 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 Wausau, WI earn a median of $30,076 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.90% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 14.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $35,054.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $14.46/hr = $18,043/year (purchasing power: $19,475).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $30,072/year (purchasing power: $32,458).
CoL index: 92.651 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$22.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$14.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$14.46/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-34.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Wausau (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.83/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $14.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Wausau grew -37.0% from $22.43/hr (2021) to $14.13/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.79/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 Wausau 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 Wausau
For those considering part-time work, a 3-day week equating to roughly 24 hours yields an annual take-home that contrasts sharply with a full-time schedule. Per-diem medical billing and coding specialists in Wausau typically command higher rates, often ranging from $25 to $42 per hour, depending on specialty and employer needs. Unique coding roles, such as CCS inpatient coders, can earn $35-$55 per hour, while risk adjustment specialists may charge $40-$65 in a 1099 capacity. Hourly pay can also vary significantly based on the work environment; physician group practices, hospitals, and third-party coding companies typically offer different wage scales. The trade-off for lower hourly rates often comes with benefits like health insurance, which some specialists opt for despite the potential for higher pay without benefits. Therefore, negotiation becomes key in this market, and workers in Wausau should emphasize their specific coding qualifications, such as credentials from AAPC or AHIMA, to maximize their hourly pay.
More salary data for Wausau, WI:
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 Wausau. 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