Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in East Honolulu, HI: $20,585 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in East Honolulu, HI earns a median $20,585/year (≈ $9.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in East Honolulu's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $17,255 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a medical billing and coding specialist salary in East Honolulu, Hawaii is projected to reach a median of $20,585, significantly lower than the national median of $30,349. The pay range is quite broad, with entry-level positions earning around $14,856 at the 10th percentile, while experienced specialists can make as much as $31,906 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from state-level data based on 2025 BLS figures and adjusted for local cost variations, reflect the unique job market of East Honolulu. Credential stacking—starting with a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification and then adding Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) and Risk Adjustment Certified Coder (CRC) credentials—can profoundly influence lifetime earnings in this profession. With twelve medical billing and coding specialists currently employed locally, it appears that growth opportunities might be limited but accessible for those with advanced training and credentials.
About the East Honolulu Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14,856 | $7.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17,314 | $8.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $20,585 | $9.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25,153 | $12.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31,906 | $15.34 |
Median Salary Position
32.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Honolulu
In East Honolulu, HI, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,050 (2026 est.). At $20,585, the local median is 32.17% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in East Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How East Honolulu Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
East Honolulu median: $20,585/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $21,005 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -32.17% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in East Honolulu, HI earn a median of $20,585 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.17% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 2.00% below the Hawaii state average of $21,005.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Honolulu has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $20,585 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $17,255 — a 16.18% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$18,356
2025 BLS Actual
$20,118
2026 Current Est.
$20,585
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in East Honolulu (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18,356 | Actual |
| 2022 | $18,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $19,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,321 | Actual |
| 2025 | $20,118 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20,585 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21,062 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Honolulu metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $18,356 (2021) to $20,118 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $21,062 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,706 (14.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Honolulu 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $14,856 – $17,314 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $17,314 – $20,585 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $20,585 – $25,153 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $25,153 – $31,906 |
MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in East Honolulu
Considering the realities of the job market, potential candidates should be acutely aware of the cost-of-living index in East Honolulu, which sits at 119.3, indicating that everyday expenses are above the national average. This reality directly impacts take-home purchasing power for those in the field. Well-paying employers tend to be hospital inpatient coding departments and physician group practices, with third-party coding companies that allow remote work also offering competitive salaries. Variability in compensation is largely driven by specialization—roles focused on inpatient coding typically offer higher pay than outpatient positions or risk adjustment work. Credential stacking, particularly with certifications from AAPC or AHIMA, enhances job prospects and potential earnings. Professionals in the area should consider negotiating productivity bonuses, especially in high-demand subspecialties like HCC coding, to improve their overall medical billing and coding specialist pay in East Honolulu, HI.
More salary data for East Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in East Honolulu, HI in 2026?
Is East Honolulu, HI a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?
Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in East Honolulu?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in East Honolulu?
How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in East Honolulu?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Hawaii
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $20,118 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the East Honolulu metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for East Honolulu is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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