Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Carrboro, NC: $26,491 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Carrboro, NC earns a median $26,491/year (≈ $12.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Carrboro's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $28,302 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career in medical billing and coding in Carrboro, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary is $26,491 for 2026. This salary falls significantly short of the national median of $30,349, highlighting local challenges in compensation. The salary range spans from $19,370 at the lower end (P10) to $38,731 at the high end (P90), indicating that opportunities exist for advancement, particularly for those who pursue additional certifications. Credential stacking—such as earning the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) designation followed by the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) and the Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)—can substantially enhance lifetime earning potential. As the medical billing landscape evolves, Carrboro's job market for specialists remains a vital aspect of the healthcare ecosystem, albeit at more modest pay rates compared to national averages.
About the Carrboro Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19,370 | $9.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24,013 | $11.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $26,491 | $12.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32,184 | $15.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38,731 | $18.62 |
Median Salary Position
12.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carrboro
In Carrboro, NC, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,361 (2026 est.). At $26,491, the local median is 12.71% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carrboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carrboro Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Carrboro median: $26,491/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carrboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $28,092 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -12.71% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Carrboro, NC earn a median of $26,491 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.71% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 5.70% below the North Carolina state average of $28,092.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carrboro has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carrboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $26,491 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $28,302 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$23,622
2025 BLS Actual
$25,890
2026 Current Est.
$26,491
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Carrboro (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $23,622 | Actual |
| 2022 | $23,885 | Actual |
| 2023 | $24,695 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,581 | Actual |
| 2025 | $25,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26,491 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27,105 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carrboro metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $23,622 (2021) to $25,890 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $27,105 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,483 (14.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carrboro 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) | $19,370 – $24,013 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $24,013 – $26,491 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $26,491 – $32,184 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $32,184 – $38,731 |
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 Carrboro
Despite the lower salary figures, the local job market for medical billing and coding specialists in Carrboro comprises only six employed professionals, which points to a niche but potentially stable environment. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, the financial realities for residents may impact overall take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments typically offer the most competitive salaries, often favoring individuals with advanced certifications or specialties, such as CCS for inpatient settings or CRC for risk adjustment coding. The disparity in pay is influenced by various factors, including the complexity of coding assignments, credential stacking benefits, and the shift towards remote work opportunities post-2020. To maximize earnings in Carrboro's market, aspiring coders should focus on obtaining multiple credentials and consider opportunities with payer companies or consulting firms, which often provide higher salaries and more flexibility.
More salary data for Carrboro, NC:
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 $25,890 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Carrboro 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 Carrboro 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