Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Boulder, CO: $16.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Boulder, CO runs $16.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,586 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Boulder's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.2, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $15.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,750 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boulder, Colorado, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay stands at a median rate of $16.63, which is notably above the national median of $14.59. This competitive hourly rate provides a solid foundation for both full-time and part-time professionals in the field. For those considering part-time positions, such as working three days a week, this translates into a sustainable income for roles typically executed in remote home offices, hospital HIM departments, or outpatient settings. Entry-level workers might earn around $13.49 per hour, while more experienced coders can make up to $20.56 per hour. The established hourly range reflects the city's demand for skilled coders and the ongoing digitization of health records, creating varied opportunities across different provider types.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.49 | $107.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.01 | $112.06 |
| Median (P50) | $16.63 | $133.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.48 | $139.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $20.56 | $164.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boulder
Based on $16.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.63/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boulder, CO can expect to earn approximately $34,584 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,952. With a cost-of-living index of 105.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Boulder.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boulder
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $665.08 | $2,882 | $34,584 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $399.05 | $1,729 | $20,750 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $266.03 | $1,153 | $13,834 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Boulder) | $16.63 |
| 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 Boulder, CO earn a median of $34,586 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.96% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 6.10% above the Colorado state average of $32,598.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.63/hr = $20,750/year (purchasing power: $19,724).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $34,584/year (purchasing power: $32,874).
CoL index: 105.202 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$22.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.63/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-25.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Boulder (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Boulder grew -28.9% from $22.84/hr (2021) to $16.25/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.01/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 Boulder 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 Boulder
Exploring the financial implications of part-time work in Boulder, a medical billing and coding specialist working 24 hours a week could potentially earn around $34,793 annually, substantially lower than a full-time colleague but still viable for individuals seeking flexibility. Per diem medical billing and coding specialist pay in Boulder ranges significantly, with independent contractors billing anywhere from $25 to $42 per hour, while specialized inpatient coders can command rates from $35 to $55 per hour. Different employer types present unique earning potentials; for instance, those in physician group practices might experience different rates compared to hospital coding departments or third-party coding companies. Some specialists opt for positions with lower hourly pay for the security of health benefits, while others prefer higher hourly rates and the freedom of freelance work. Negotiating effective pay rates in Boulder requires an understanding of local job market fluctuations and realistic insights on trade-offs involving benefits and hourly compensation.
More salary data for Boulder, CO:
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 Boulder. 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