Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Little Rock, AR: $11.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Little Rock, AR runs $11.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $24,794 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Little Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $13.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $14,877 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in Little Rock, Arkansas, is anticipated to be $11.92, which reflects a significant disparity when compared to the national hourly median of $14.59. This rate shapes the financial landscape for professionals in diverse working arrangements, such as part-time positions or per-diem status, which are becoming increasingly common. Many specialists are now working from remote home offices, while others find roles in hospital health information management departments, coding cubicles in physician groups, or production floors in third-party coding companies. The hourly pay can range from $9.96 for entry-level positions up to $18.94 for those at the top of their earning potential, highlighting a clear diversity based on experience and specialization within the field.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $9.96 | $79.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $10.44 | $83.49 |
| Median (P50) | $11.92 | $95.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $14.18 | $113.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $18.94 | $151.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Little Rock
Based on $11.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $11.92/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Little Rock, AR can expect to earn approximately $24,794 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $14,304. With a cost-of-living index of 89.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Little Rock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Little Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $476.81 | $2,066 | $24,794 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $286.09 | $1,240 | $14,877 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $190.72 | $826 | $9,918 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Little Rock) | $11.92 |
| 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 Little Rock, AR earn a median of $24,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.30% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.30% above the Arkansas state average of $24,476.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $11.92/hr = $14,877/year (purchasing power: $16,647).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $24,794/year (purchasing power: $27,745).
CoL index: 89.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$22.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$11.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$11.92/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Little Rock (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $11.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $11.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $12.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Little Rock grew -47.1% from $22.04/hr (2021) to $11.65/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $12.20/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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock
For medical billing and coding specialists seeking part-time employment, working three days a week can yield varying annual earnings compared to full-time roles. With 24 hours per week, a part-time specialist can expect to earn around $24,934 annually. In contrast, per-diem opportunities present a different earning potential; medical coders in these roles often bill rates ranging from $25 to $42 per hour, depending on their specific credentials, such as CCS for inpatient coding or CRC for risk adjustment. The type of employer also influences hourly rates significantly; for instance, hospital inpatient coding departments may offer salaries that differ from those found in physician group practices or consulting firms. Some specialists choose to accept lower hourly rates with benefits, weighing them carefully against higher rates that come without insurance perks. Negotiating effectively in the local market of Little Rock can involve discussing unique qualifications or certifications to justify a higher pay rate in this evolving profession.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Little Rock in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Little Rock?
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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 Little Rock. 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