Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in St. Petersburg, FL: $14.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in St. Petersburg, FL runs $14.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $29,524 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against St. Petersburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $14.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $17,711 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Petersburg, Florida, the projected median hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist is $14.19, slightly below the national median of $14.59. This rate reflects a competitive environment for part-time and per-diem workers in medical coding, who may find opportunities in remote home offices, hospital HIM departments, or physician group practices. For specialists who work three days a week, earning nearly full-time hours, the financial stability can be favorable, allowing for a balance between work and personal commitments. The hourly pay range reflects variations in experience and expertise, with entry-level professionals starting at around $10.25, while top earners can make up to $22.00 per hour within the St. Petersburg region.
About the St. Petersburg 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) | $10.25 | $82.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $12.04 | $96.34 |
| Median (P50) | $14.19 | $113.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.09 | $144.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.00 | $175.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Petersburg
Based on $14.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $14.19/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Petersburg, FL can expect to earn approximately $29,519 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $17,030. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in St. Petersburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Petersburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $567.67 | $2,460 | $29,519 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $340.60 | $1,476 | $17,711 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $227.07 | $984 | $11,808 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (St. Petersburg) | $14.19 |
| 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 St. Petersburg, FL earn a median of $29,524 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.72% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 10.50% above the Florida state average of $26,719.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $14.19/hr = $17,711/year (purchasing power: $17,571).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $29,519/year (purchasing power: $29,285).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$12.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$14.19/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in St. Petersburg (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $12.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $12.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $13.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in St. Petersburg grew 9.6% from $12.65/hr (2021) to $13.87/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.52/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 St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg
Considering part-time employment, a medical billing and coding specialist working 24 hours a week could effectively earn around $16,000 annually, which highlights the trade-offs between full-time roles and flexible schedules. For those in per-diem settings or working through agencies, the compensation can significantly exceed the standard hourly rate, sometimes reaching $25-$42/hour for general coding tasks. Specialty positions, such as CCS inpatient coders, may earn as much as $35-$55/hour, indicating a lucrative pathway for professionals with advanced certifications. Employer types influence hourly rates as well; those in hospital outpatient departments or insurance company coding audits often command different wages compared to third-party coding companies offering remote work. Specialists who prioritize job security may choose positions that provide health benefits, albeit at the cost of accepting lower hourly wages. For those negotiating pay in St. Petersburg, highlighting specific skills related to ICD-10-CM or risk adjustment coding can be advantageous while negotiating higher rates.
More salary data for St. Petersburg, 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 St. Petersburg. 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 St. Petersburg 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