Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Garner, NC: $26,963 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Garner, NC earns a median $26,963/year (≈ $12.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Garner's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $28,807 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Garner, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for a medical billing and coding specialist in 2026 is $26,963, reflecting the increasing adaptability of this profession amid a predominantly remote work environment. With salaries ranging from $20,722 at the 10th percentile to $41,794 at the 90th percentile, it's evident that the local job market provides various earning potential depending on experience and specialization. These figures, shaped by state-level data and adjusted for regional price variations, reveal the unique compensation landscape in Garner compared to national averages, where specialists earn a median of $30,349. As the demand for skilled professionals persists, the medical billing and coding sector in Garner is poised for gradual growth.
About the Garner Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20,722 | $9.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,611 | $11.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $26,963 | $12.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34,434 | $16.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41,794 | $20.10 |
Median Salary Position
11.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garner
In Garner, NC, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,072 (2026 est.). At $26,963, the local median is 11.16% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Garner Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Garner median: $26,963/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $28,116 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -11.16% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Garner, NC earn a median of $26,963 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.16% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $28,116.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garner 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.
Garner, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $26,963 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $28,807 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$24,043
2025 BLS Actual
$26,352
2026 Current Est.
$26,963
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Garner (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $24,043 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,311 | Actual |
| 2023 | $25,136 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,305 | Actual |
| 2025 | $26,352 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26,963 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27,589 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garner metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $24,043 (2021) to $26,352 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $27,589 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,546 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garner 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) | $20,722 – $23,611 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,611 – $26,963 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $26,963 – $34,434 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $34,434 – $41,794 |
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 Garner
The local market for medical billing and coding specialists in Garner is relatively small, with just four individuals currently employed in this role. The area's cost of living index stands at 93.6, indicating that while salaries may seem lower compared to the national median, the reduced cost of living can enhance overall purchasing power. Among local employers, physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments often offer the most competitive salaries, while third-party coding companies hiring remote workers provide flexibility that may appeal to job seekers. Pay disparities arise from factors such as specialization—where inpatient coding credentials like CCS command higher salaries than outpatient certifications—and credential stacking, where holding multiple relevant credentials can significantly boost earning potential. For those seeking to maximize their medical billing and coding specialist pay in Garner, focusing on specialty certifications, staying up-to-date with ICD-10-CM updates, and exploring opportunities in risk adjustment coding could prove advantageous in an evolving job market.
More salary data for Garner, 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 $26,352 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Garner 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 Garner 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