Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Clearwater, FL: $14.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Clearwater, FL runs $14.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $29,884 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Clearwater's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $14.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $17,928 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Clearwater, Florida, medical billing and coding specialists can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $14.37, which is slightly below the national average of $14.59. This rate reflects a diverse earning potential, especially for part-time and per-diem positions commonly found in remote home offices, hospital health information management departments, and consulting firm settings. The hourly wage for entry-level specialists starts at approximately $9.83, while those who excel and gain experience can earn up to $22.26, demonstrating a clear ladder for career progression in various medical environments. These figures are based on 2026 estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, indicating a solid opportunity for individuals looking to enter this growing field.
About the Clearwater Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $9.83 | $78.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.72 | $93.73 |
| Median (P50) | $14.37 | $114.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.39 | $147.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.26 | $178.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Clearwater
Based on $14.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $14.37/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Clearwater, FL can expect to earn approximately $29,881 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $17,239. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Clearwater.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Clearwater
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $574.63 | $2,490 | $29,881 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $344.78 | $1,494 | $17,928 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $229.85 | $996 | $11,952 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Clearwater) | $14.37 |
| 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 Clearwater, FL earn a median of $29,884 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.53% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 11.80% above the Florida state average of $26,729.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $14.37/hr = $17,928/year (purchasing power: $17,786).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $29,881/year (purchasing power: $29,644).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$12.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$14.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$14.37/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Clearwater (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $12.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $12.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $13.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $14.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Clearwater grew 9.6% from $12.81/hr (2021) to $14.04/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.70/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 Clearwater 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 Clearwater
For part-time professionals working three days a week, taking home a paycheck can look significantly different compared to full-time hours. Over a year, a part-time coding specialist clocking in around 24 hours weekly would feasibly generate less than their full-time counterparts, emphasizing the importance of understanding the market. In contrast, per diem medical billing and coding specialists in Clearwater may command rates between $25 and $42 per hour, with specialized roles such as CCS inpatient coders and CRC risk adjustment specialists seeing even higher pay at $35 to $65 per hour. It's also vital to recognize the employer type's influence on hourly pay; coding offices, hospital departments, and third-party companies have varied compensation structures. Some professionals may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others prefer agencies for flexibility and higher pay. Effective negotiation strategies for hourly workers include highlighting distinctive skills and knowledge of ICD-10-CM or CPT updates which could provide leverage in discussions about compensation benefits.
More salary data for Clearwater, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Clearwater in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Clearwater?
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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 Clearwater. 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 Clearwater 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