Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Gastonia, NC: $29,685 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Gastonia, NC earns a median $29,685/year (≈ $14.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Gastonia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $31,715 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career as a medical billing and coding specialist in Gastonia, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for 2026 stands at $29,685. This figure positions the local compensation slightly below the national median, which is $30,349. The salary range in Gastonia extends from $21,730 at the 10th percentile to $46,012 at the 90th percentile. These salary estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, reflect the regional price adjustments and the evolution of telehealth and remote work that have broadened job opportunities for billing and coding specialists beyond traditional settings. With the increasing demand for such roles, the market in Gastonia is set to grow, providing potential financial benefits for those entering the field.
About the Gastonia Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21,730 | $10.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25,234 | $12.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $29,685 | $14.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37,497 | $18.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,012 | $22.12 |
Median Salary Position
2.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gastonia
In Gastonia, NC, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,282 (2026 est.). At $29,685, the local median is 2.19% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gastonia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gastonia Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Gastonia median: $29,685/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gastonia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $28,111 | +5.60% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | -2.19% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Gastonia, NC earn a median of $29,685 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.19% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 5.60% above the North Carolina state average of $28,111.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gastonia 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.
Gastonia, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $29,685 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $31,715 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$26,470
2025 BLS Actual
$29,012
2026 Current Est.
$29,685
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Gastonia (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $26,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $26,765 | Actual |
| 2023 | $27,673 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,717 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,012 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29,685 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30,374 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gastonia metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $26,470 (2021) to $29,012 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $30,374 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,904 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gastonia 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) | $21,730 – $25,234 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $25,234 – $29,685 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $29,685 – $37,497 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $37,497 – $46,012 |
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 Gastonia
In Gastonia, there are currently 16 medical billing and coding specialists employed, indicating a niche but stable job market. The cost-of-living index for the area is relatively low at 93.6, which means that the take-home pay for specialists can stretch further than in higher-cost cities. Positions with physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments tend to offer the most competitive salaries, while third-party coding companies provide flexibility through remote work. The disparity in pay is influenced by expertise in specialty areas, such as inpatient coding or risk adjustment, as well as the value of additional certifications like CCS or CRC. To maximize earnings potential in Gastonia, aspiring professionals should focus on enhancing their qualifications, consider work-from-home roles that often come with productivity bonuses, and stay updated with the latest coding updates in ICD-10-CM and CPT. This proactive approach can significantly improve overall compensation in this evolving field.
More salary data for Gastonia, 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 $29,012 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Gastonia 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 Gastonia 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