Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Wilmington, NC: $25,477 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Wilmington, NC earns a median $25,477/year (≈ $12.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $26,422 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Wilmington, North Carolina, can expect an estimated median annual salary of $25,477, which is significantly lower than the national median of $30,349 for the same year. Salaries in this field range from as low as $22,005 at the 10th percentile to a substantial $64,930 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reveals a broad spectrum of pay reflective of the various specializations within the profession. Those working in inpatient coding typically command higher salaries compared to their outpatient counterparts, with specialties like risk adjustment coding contributing to valuable skills that can enhance earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,005 | $10.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,751 | $11.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $25,477 | $12.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33,708 | $16.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,930 | $31.22 |
Median Salary Position
16.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,925 (2026 est.). At $25,477, the local median is 16.05% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Wilmington Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $25,477/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $28,120 | -9.40% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -16.05% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $25,477 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.05% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 9.40% below the North Carolina state average of $28,120.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $25,477 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $26,422 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,130
2025 BLS Actual
$24,899
2026 Current Est.
$25,477
2021–2027 Growth
+-27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Wilmington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $24,899 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25,477 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26,068 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -31.1% from $36,130 (2021) to $24,899 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $26,068 by 2027 — a total increase of $-10,062 (-27.85%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $22,005 – $23,751 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,751 – $25,477 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $25,477 – $33,708 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $33,708 – $64,930 |
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 Wilmington
Wilmington's job market currently employs about 220 medical billing and coding specialists, a figure that points to a stable demand within the healthcare sector. However, the cost of living index at 96.422 indicates a slightly below-average economic environment, which impacts disposable income for residents. Employers offering higher pay typically include physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments, which prioritize experienced professionals with advanced certifications. The disparity in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as credential stacking—where credentials like CPC, CCS, and CRC increase employability—productivity bonuses, and the structure of remote versus in-office positions. For those aiming to enhance their financial standing, pursuing additional certifications through AAPC or AHIMA and gaining experience in high-demand niches like risk adjustment coding could prove beneficial in the Wilmington, NC, market.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Wilmington, NC in 2026?
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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 $24,899 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Wilmington 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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