Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Tucson, AZ: $14.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Tucson, AZ runs $14.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $29,257 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Tucson's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.9, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $14.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $17,558 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tucson, Arizona, medical billing and coding specialists earn a median hourly rate of $14.07, which is slightly lower than the national median of $14.59. For professionals working part-time, such as those on a 3-day/week schedule, this hourly pay means a steady income that can effectively cover living expenses, especially given Tucson's cost of living index of 96.896. The hourly range for these specialists spans from $10.20 at the 10th percentile to $19.90 at the 90th percentile, indicating room for growth as one gains experience and specialization. Many in this field find positions in remote home offices, hospital health information management (HIM) departments, or physician coding setups, adjusting their schedules as per demand and personal needs. The flexibility of this profession allows for opportunities for part-time and per-diem roles, catering to those seeking variability in work-life balance.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.20 | $81.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.26 | $90.04 |
| Median (P50) | $14.07 | $112.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $16.24 | $129.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $19.90 | $159.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tucson
Based on $14.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $14.07/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tucson, AZ can expect to earn approximately $29,264 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,883. With a cost-of-living index of 96.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tucson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tucson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $562.76 | $2,439 | $29,264 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $337.66 | $1,463 | $17,558 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $225.10 | $975 | $11,705 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Tucson) | $14.07 |
| 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 Tucson, AZ earn a median of $29,257 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.60% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 8.20% above the Arizona state average of $27,040.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $14.07/hr = $17,558/year (purchasing power: $18,121).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $29,264/year (purchasing power: $30,201).
CoL index: 96.896 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$14.07/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-20.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Tucson (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Tucson grew -24.5% from $18.20/hr (2021) to $13.75/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.40/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 Tucson 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 Tucson
When considering the annual take-home pay for those working part-time at 24 hours a week, medical billing and coding specialists in Tucson can anticipate earning significantly less than their full-time counterparts, but these part-time hours also provide the freedom to balance other responsibilities. Per-diem medical billing and coding specialists often navigate a different financial landscape, with pay rates ranging from $25 to $42 per hour for 1099 contractors. In Tucson, the hourly pay can vary considerably depending on the employer type, whether in a physician group practice, a third-party coding company, or a consulting firm. For many, the choice between a lower hourly rate with benefits such as health insurance versus a higher rate without them presents a common dilemma. To negotiate effectively, workers should highlight their credentials from recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA, as well as their familiarity with ICD-10-CM and risk adjustment coding, which are increasingly in demand. These insights into the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in Tucson, AZ, can help professionals make informed decisions about their career paths.
More salary data for Tucson, 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 Tucson. 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