Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Flagstaff, AZ: $15.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Flagstaff, AZ runs $15.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $33,026 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Flagstaff's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.3, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $15.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $19,818 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Flagstaff, Arizona, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected to be $15.88 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $14.59. This rate makes a considerable difference for part-time specialists who might work three days a week, as they can still enhance their financial stability while balancing work and personal commitments. Per-diem opportunities are particularly appealing in this field, with specialists able to find remote work from home or in various healthcare settings like hospital HIM departments or third-party coding companies. For those at the entry levels, starting at approximately $11.00 per hour is typical, while the most experienced professionals in Flagstaff can earn up to $20.92 hourly. Relatively low competition in this relatively niche market makes the projected wages from the Bureau of Labor Statistics particularly important for job seekers in 2026.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.00 | $88.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.46 | $107.64 |
| Median (P50) | $15.88 | $127.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.19 | $137.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $20.92 | $167.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Flagstaff
Based on $15.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $15.88/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Flagstaff, AZ can expect to earn approximately $33,031 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,056. With a cost-of-living index of 100.33 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Flagstaff.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Flagstaff
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $635.20 | $2,753 | $33,031 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $381.12 | $1,652 | $19,818 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $254.08 | $1,101 | $13,212 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Flagstaff) | $15.88 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Flagstaff, AZ earn a median of $33,026 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.82% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 22.10% above the Arizona state average of $27,048.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $15.88/hr = $19,818/year (purchasing power: $19,754).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $33,031/year (purchasing power: $32,924).
CoL index: 100.325 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$22.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$15.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$15.88/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Flagstaff (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $15.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $15.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Flagstaff grew -30.8% from $22.43/hr (2021) to $15.52/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.25/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical billing and coding specialists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flagstaff 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Flagstaff
Exploring the financial landscape further, a medical billing and coding specialist working 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $24,389 annually, while a full-time coder's annual income can peak higher. For those opting for per-diem work, billing rates can range significantly; independent coders often earn between $25 and $42 per hour, while specialists in risk adjustment coding for Medicare Advantage may command even higher hourly rates, ranging from $40 to $65. Hourly pay varies widely depending on employer type in Flagstaff. Specialty clinics and physician group practices typically might offer lower hourly rates, while third-party coding companies or consultancy firms might provide more competitive compensation but fewer benefits. Some professionals may choose to accept lower hourly wages for steady employment with health insurance, while others pursue higher rates on a contract basis. When negotiating pay, medical billing and coding specialists should be clear about their value, emphasizing relevant credentials from AAPC or AHIMA, and consider the overall compensation package, including benefits.
More salary data for Flagstaff, AZ:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical billing and coding specialists in Flagstaff. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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