Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Liberal, KS: $7.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Liberal, KS runs $7.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $14,923 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Liberal's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $7.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $8,951 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Medical billing and coding specialists in Liberal, Kansas, earn a median hourly rate of $7.17, significantly lower than the national median of $14.59. This discrepancy highlights local market conditions and suggests a challenging environment for those in the field. For professionals working part-time, such as those dedicating three days a week, this translates to a weekly income that may not cover typical living expenses, especially given the area's below-average cost of living index at 90.9. Entry-level positions may offer hourly compensation starting at about $5.73, while seasoned coders can command rates up to $11.02, underscoring the broad spectrum of pay depending on experience and employer type. Given the prevalence of remote work settings in the industry, many specialists find opportunities in home office environments or hospital HIM departments, making flexibility a key factor in job selection.
About the Liberal Market
Salary estimated from Kansas 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) | $5.73 | $45.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $6.42 | $51.32 |
| Median (P50) | $7.17 | $57.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $8.63 | $69.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $11.02 | $88.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Liberal
Based on $7.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $7.17/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Liberal, KS can expect to earn approximately $14,919 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $8,607. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Liberal.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Liberal
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $286.91 | $1,243 | $14,919 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $172.14 | $746 | $8,951 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $114.76 | $497 | $5,968 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Liberal) | $7.17 |
| 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 Liberal, KS earn a median of $14,923 per year (2026 est.), which is 50.83% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 6.70% below the Kansas state average of $15,995.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $7.17/hr = $8,951/year (purchasing power: $9,848).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $14,919/year (purchasing power: $16,413).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$6.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$7.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$7.17/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Liberal (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $6.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $6.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $6.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $7.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $7.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $7.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Liberal grew 9.6% from $6.40/hr (2021) to $7.01/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $7.34/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 Liberal 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 Liberal
When considering the part-time earning potential, a medical billing and coding specialist who works three days a week (24 hours) would take home approximately $15,000 annually, distinctly lower than a full-time salary. Per diem and agency medical coders find that they can earn significantly more, billing between $25 to $42 per hour, depending upon their expertise and the specific coding niche, such as CCS inpatient coding specialists who can reach $35–$55 per hour. The range of employers in Liberal impacts wage rates, with third-party coding companies and insurance payer audit teams sometimes offering higher pay compared to physician group practices or hospitals. Nevertheless, some professionals opt for lower hourly rates that include health benefits, accepting a trade-off between pay and job security. Those in search of hourly roles should consider negotiating based on skill set and specific coding expertise, essential in a competitive market where demand for professionals with knowledge of risk adjustment and HCC coding continues to grow.
More salary data for Liberal, KS:
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 Liberal. 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 Liberal 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