Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Laurel, MD: $18,276 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Laurel, MD earns a median $18,276/year (≈ $8.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $16,721 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, professionals in medical billing and coding in Laurel, Maryland are projected to earn a median annual salary of $18,276. This figure reveals a significant discrepancy when compared to the national median of $30,349, illustrating a local pay scale that is approximately 39.78% lower than the national average. Salary estimates in the area range between $13,831 at the P10 percentile and $28,328 at the P90 percentile, according to state-level data and regional cost adjustments. These insights suggest a unique dynamics of the job market in Laurel for this profession. Credential stacking, such as obtaining certifications in CPC, CCS, and CRC, can enhance earning potential significantly, offering pathways to higher salaries over an individual's career.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13,831 | $6.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15,789 | $7.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $18,276 | $8.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23,159 | $11.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28,328 | $13.62 |
Median Salary Position
39.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MD, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,497 (2026 est.). At $18,276, the local median is 39.78% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Laurel median: $18,276/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $19,238 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -39.78% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Laurel, MD earn a median of $18,276 per year (2026 est.), which is 39.78% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 5.00% below the Maryland state average of $19,238.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laurel, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $18,276 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $16,721 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$16,297
2025 BLS Actual
$17,862
2026 Current Est.
$18,276
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Laurel (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $16,297 | Actual |
| 2022 | $16,479 | Actual |
| 2023 | $17,038 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,221 | Actual |
| 2025 | $17,862 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18,276 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18,700 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $16,297 (2021) to $17,862 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $18,700 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,403 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $13,831 – $15,789 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $15,789 – $18,276 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $18,276 – $23,159 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $23,159 – $28,328 |
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 Laurel
The job market in Laurel features a very limited number of professionals, with only six medical billing and coding specialists currently employed. The cost of living index at 109.3 indicates that while living costs are higher than the national average, salary levels do not wholly align with this elevation, impacting overall purchasing power. Employers ranging from physician group practices to insurance company coding audit teams typically offer the highest salaries in the area. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include specialty focuses, like inpatient CCS coding, and additional qualifications impacting compensation rates, along with productivity bonuses for charts coded per hour. Given the current landscape, professionals aiming to maximize their pay in Laurel should consider enhancing their credentials, exploring remote work opportunities, and seeking roles in high-paying specialties such as risk adjustment coding.
More salary data for Laurel, MD:
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
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 $17,862 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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