Medical Billing Salary

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.

$24,794
Median Annual Salary
$11.92/hr
Hourly Rate
$20,699
Entry Level (P10)
$39,393
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Rate in Little Rock, AR — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Little Rock, AR medical billing and coding specialist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileHourly RatePer 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.

Horizontal bars showing a medical billing and coding specialist in Little Rock earning $11.92/hr would make approximately $14,304 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $24,794 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$14,304Reduced (32 hr/wk)$19,072Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$24,794

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.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$95.36
per 8hr shift
$476.81
per week
$2,066
per month
$24,794
per year

Schedule Comparison in Little Rock

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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

RoleMedian 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
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in Little Rock ($24,794) with Arkansas average ($24,476) and the US national median ($30,349).Little Rock$24,794Arkansas Avg$24,476+1.30%US National$30,349-18.30%

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 (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Little Rock. Baseline $22.04/hr in 2025, projected to $12.20/hr by 2027.$10$13$17$20$2420212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$22.04$18.26$20.24$19.67$11.65$11.92$12.20
YearHourly RateStatus
2021$22.04/hrActual
2022$18.26/hrActual
2023$20.24/hrActual
2024$19.67/hrActual
2025$11.65/hrActual
2026(current)$11.92/hrEstimated
2027$12.20/hrProjected

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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Little Rock in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Little Rock is $11.92/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Rates range from $9.96 at entry level (10th percentile) to $18.94 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 18.3% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Little Rock?

A part-time medical billing and coding specialist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Little Rock earns approximately $1,240/month, or $14,877/year at the median hourly rate of $11.92. Many medical billing and coding specialists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are medical billing and coding specialists in Little Rock paid hourly or salary?

The majority of medical billing and coding specialists in Little Rock are paid hourly at a median rate of $11.92/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $24,794/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Little Rock?

A full-time medical billing and coding specialist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Little Rock earns approximately $24,794/year at the median hourly rate of $11.92. This is 18.3% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $39,394/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Little Rock?

Part-time and per diem medical billing and coding specialists in Little Rock sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $18.94/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Arkansas

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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

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