Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Covington, KY: $12.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Covington, KY runs $12.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $26,740 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Covington's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $14.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $16,039 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Covington, Kentucky, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected to be $12.85 in 2026, which falls below the national hourly median of $14.59. This figure highlights the financial landscape for both full-time and part-time professionals, particularly those working three days a week; they can expect to see hourly compensation reflective of their skill set and experience in areas such as remote home offices, hospital HIM departments, and third-party coding companies. Hourly pay ranges from $9.47 for entry-level positions at the P10 threshold to as much as $19.28 for top earners in the P90 bracket, illustrating a diversity in earnings based on experience and specific roles within the field.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $9.47 | $75.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $10.92 | $87.34 |
| Median (P50) | $12.85 | $102.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $15.83 | $126.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $19.28 | $154.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Covington
Based on $12.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $12.85/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Covington, KY can expect to earn approximately $26,731 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $15,422. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Covington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Covington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $514.06 | $2,228 | $26,731 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $308.43 | $1,337 | $16,039 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $205.62 | $891 | $10,692 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Covington) | $12.85 |
| 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 Covington, KY earn a median of $26,740 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.30% below the Kentucky state average of $27,093.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $12.85/hr = $16,039/year (purchasing power: $17,960).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $26,731/year (purchasing power: $29,934).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$11.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$12.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$12.85/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Covington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $11.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $11.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $11.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $12.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $12.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Covington grew 9.6% from $11.46/hr (2021) to $12.56/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.15/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 Covington 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 Covington
For those considering part-time employment, a 24-hour workweek would yield significantly lower annual earnings compared to a full-time position, making it essential to evaluate the trade-offs of hourly medical billing and coding jobs in Covington. Per diem medical billing and coding specialists often command higher rates when billing as independent contractors, with figures ranging from $25 to $42 per hour. Employers such as physician group practices, hospital coding departments, and ambulatory surgery centers vary widely in their hourly compensation based on roles and benefits offered. Individuals might choose positions that provide health insurance even if the hourly pay is lower, while those preferring higher rates may opt for positions without benefits. When negotiating pay, candidates in Covington should emphasize their proficiency with the ICD-10-CM and risk adjustment coding to secure a competitive rate in the evolving job market.
More salary data for Covington, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Covington in 2026?
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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 Covington. 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 Covington 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