Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Smyrna, DE: $7.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Smyrna, DE runs $7.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $16,584 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Smyrna's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $7.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $9,947 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Smyrna, Delaware, medical billing and coding specialists earn a median hourly rate of $7.97, which falls significantly below the national median of $14.59. This disparity reflects not only local market dynamics but also the impact of the overall cost of living index at 101.7, slightly above the national average. For professionals seeking part-time or per-diem opportunities, the hourly rate can translate to varied earning potentials based on the number of hours worked each week. Working three days a week could yield a consistent income, but with the local hourly range extending from $6.31 for entry-level positions to $11.86 for top earners, financial planning becomes critical. Most billing and coding specialists have adopted remote work arrangements, transforming a traditional field into one that allows more flexibility within settings such as hospital HIM departments, physician group offices, and coding agency floors.
About the Smyrna 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) | $6.31 | $50.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $7.06 | $56.48 |
| Median (P50) | $7.97 | $63.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $9.83 | $78.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $11.86 | $94.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Smyrna
Based on $7.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $7.97/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Smyrna, DE can expect to earn approximately $16,579 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $9,565. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Smyrna.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Smyrna
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $318.83 | $1,382 | $16,579 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $191.30 | $829 | $9,947 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $127.53 | $553 | $6,632 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Smyrna) | $7.97 |
| 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 Smyrna, DE earn a median of $16,584 per year (2026 est.), which is 45.36% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 7.40% below the Delaware state average of $17,909.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $7.97/hr = $9,947/year (purchasing power: $9,781).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $16,579/year (purchasing power: $16,302).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$7.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$7.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$7.97/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Smyrna (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $7.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $7.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $7.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $7.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $7.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $8.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Smyrna grew 9.6% from $7.11/hr (2021) to $7.79/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $8.16/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 Smyrna 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 Smyrna
Considering the part-time employment landscape in Smyrna, a medical billing and coding specialist working 24 hours a week might take home around $9,963 in annual income, significantly lower than full-time earnings. For those engaging in per-diem roles, the compensation is even more lucrative, with rates between $25 and $42 per hour common for 1099 contractors. Coders specializing in inpatient data may command $35 to $55 per hour, while Medicare Advantage risk adjustment specialists often see rates from $40 to $65 per hour. Moreover, hourly rates can fluctuate depending on the employer type, encompassing physician group practices, hospitals, or third-party coding firms, each offering various benefits. While some professionals may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others might prioritize higher pay without benefits. Negotiating in Smyrna can be advantageous, especially when demonstrating expertise in high-demand areas such as ICD-10-CM or risk adjustment coding, as employers are likely to value skills that contribute to their operational efficiency.
More salary data for Smyrna, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Smyrna in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Smyrna?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Smyrna paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Smyrna?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Smyrna?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Delaware
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 Smyrna. 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 Smyrna 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