Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Lakewood, CO: $15.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Lakewood, CO runs $15.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $32,635 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Lakewood's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $14.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $19,576 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, Colorado, the hourly pay for medical billing and coding specialists is projected to be $15.69 in 2026, which is notably above the national median of $14.59. This competitive hourly rate allows for various work arrangements, including part-time and per-diem positions. Many specialists work from remote home offices or in hospital health information management departments, reflecting the trend towards flexible work environments post-2020. For entry-level professionals, hourly wages typically start at $11.57, while experienced coders can earn up to $24.32, highlighting a significant range in compensation based on skill, experience, and employer type, including physician group practices, third-party coding companies, and consulting firms.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.57 | $92.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.43 | $107.48 |
| Median (P50) | $15.69 | $125.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.09 | $160.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.32 | $194.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakewood
Based on $15.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $15.69/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakewood, CO can expect to earn approximately $32,626 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $18,823. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lakewood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakewood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $627.43 | $2,719 | $32,626 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $376.46 | $1,631 | $19,576 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $250.97 | $1,088 | $13,050 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Lakewood) | $15.69 |
| 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 Lakewood, CO earn a median of $32,635 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.53% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 0.10% above the Colorado state average of $32,602.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $15.69/hr = $19,576/year (purchasing power: $18,644).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $32,626/year (purchasing power: $31,073).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$13.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$15.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$15.69/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Lakewood (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $15.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $15.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Lakewood grew 9.6% from $13.99/hr (2021) to $15.33/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.05/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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood
When considering part-time work as a medical billing and coding specialist in Lakewood, one can expect to earn around $15,266 annually by working three days a week, which is a substantial difference compared to earning a full-time salary. Per diem medical billing and coding specialists in the area typically bill between $25 and $42 per hour, with CCS inpatient coders commanding rates from $35 to $55, reflecting the variance in work demands and expertise. Coding roles in different settings such as ambulatory surgery centers or payer audit teams can offer varying pay scales, with some specialists opting for positions that include health insurance benefits over higher hourly wages without them. For those ready to negotiate, emphasizing specific skills in ICD-10-CM coding or risk adjustment can lead to better compensation. Understanding pricing dynamics across different employer types in Lakewood can position specialists to effectively advocate for their worth in a growing field.
More salary data for Lakewood, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Lakewood in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Lakewood?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Lakewood paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Lakewood?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Lakewood?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 Lakewood. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lakewood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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