Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Lakeland, FL: $13.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Lakeland, FL runs $13.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $27,786 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Lakeland's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $13.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $16,677 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lakeland, Florida, a medical billing and coding specialist can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $13.36. This is slightly below the national median of $14.59, highlighting a local variation in compensation. For those working part-time, particularly in environments like remote home offices or hospital health information management departments, this hourly rate means working three days a week could yield a net income reflective of a manageable lifestyle, although it may not afford the same stability as full-time employment. Hourly wages can vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $10.18 and those with considerable experience potentially reaching as high as $21.68. The data provided, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects the current economic landscape for this profession in the local area.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.18 | $81.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.30 | $90.37 |
| Median (P50) | $13.36 | $106.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.07 | $144.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $21.68 | $173.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakeland
Based on $13.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $13.36/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakeland, FL can expect to earn approximately $27,795 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,036. With a cost-of-living index of 97.14 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lakeland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakeland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $534.52 | $2,316 | $27,795 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $320.71 | $1,390 | $16,677 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $213.81 | $927 | $11,118 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Lakeland) | $13.36 |
| 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 Lakeland, FL earn a median of $27,786 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.45% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 4.00% above the Florida state average of $26,717.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $13.36/hr = $16,677/year (purchasing power: $17,168).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $27,795/year (purchasing power: $28,613).
CoL index: 97.141 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$21.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$13.36/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-37.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Lakeland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $21.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Lakeland grew -40.3% from $21.88/hr (2021) to $13.06/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.67/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 Lakeland 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 Lakeland
When considering part-time work, a medical billing and coding specialist working three days per week would bring home approximately $20,835 annually. This can serve as a viable option for those seeking flexibility while still engaging with a dynamic field that has seen a transition toward remote coding jobs, especially post-2020. Per diem coders, who often work on a 1099 basis, find themselves billing between $25 and $42 an hour, with specialists in risk adjustment and HCC coding attracting even higher rates, upwards of $40 to $65 an hour. Across various employer types in Lakeland, hourly rates fluctuate, where positions within physician group practices or third-party coding firms might offer different pay scales compared to hospital settings. This balance between hourly pay and the inclusion of health benefits is a consideration for many—some specialists may accept a lower pay rate in exchange for medical insurance and stability. Negotiating hourly rates effectively involves being aware of local market trends and understanding the comparative value of benefits, ensuring that specialists can make informed choices that align with their professional and personal needs.
More salary data for Lakeland, FL:
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 Lakeland. 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