Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Bear, DE: $8.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Bear, DE runs $8.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $17,155 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Bear's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $8.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $10,292 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Bear, Delaware, medical billing and coding specialists earn a median hourly rate of $8.25, quite below the national average of $14.59. This significant disparity reflects not just the local economy but also the broader job market dynamics that have an impact on part-time and per-diem positions. Those working part-time—say three days a week—will find their pay reflective of this hourly rate, leading to annual earnings that may not be sufficient to cover living expenses, particularly in a cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 101.7. The hourly range extends from approximately $6.30 for entry-level positions to $12.01 for top earners, indicating a notable gap in potential income based on experience and negotiation skills. This environment, especially with the trend toward remote work after 2020, highlights the importance of understanding the local job market for those in the profession.
About the Bear Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $6.30 | $50.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $7.14 | $57.14 |
| Median (P50) | $8.25 | $65.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $10.02 | $80.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $12.01 | $96.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bear
Based on $8.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $8.25/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bear, DE can expect to earn approximately $17,154 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $9,896. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bear.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bear
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $329.88 | $1,429 | $17,154 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $197.93 | $858 | $10,292 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $131.95 | $572 | $6,861 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Bear) | $8.25 |
| 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 Bear, DE earn a median of $17,155 per year (2026 est.), which is 43.47% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 4.20% below the Delaware state average of $17,907.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $8.25/hr = $10,292/year (purchasing power: $10,120).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $17,154/year (purchasing power: $16,867).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$7.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$8.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$8.25/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bear (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $7.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $7.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $7.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $8.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $8.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $8.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Bear grew 9.6% from $7.35/hr (2021) to $8.06/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $8.44/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 Bear 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 Bear
For part-time workers in Bear, a medical billing and coding specialist might clock around 24 hours a week, translating to a year-dependent take-home pay that remains far from full-time salaries. In contrast, individuals engaging in per-diem or agency roles often experience a different financial reality. These per diem medical billing and coding specialists can charge between $25 and $42 an hour, with inpatient coders commanding $35 to $55 hourly, reflecting a more lucrative side of the profession that values specialized skills, such as CCS certification and experience with risk adjustment coding. The diversity in hourly rates among employer types—ranging from physician group practices to third-party coding companies—further illustrates the necessity for professionals to evaluate their career paths carefully. Many coders may opt for positions with lower hourly rates but include benefits such as health insurance, which is not commonly offered in higher-paying independent contracting roles. When negotiating pay in Bear, consider the factors such as stability versus higher hourly pay, especially in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape driven by the need for ongoing education and certification in areas like ICD-10 and HCPCS coding.
More salary data for Bear, DE:
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 Bear. 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 Bear 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