Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Richmond, KY: $12.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Richmond, KY runs $12.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $26,684 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $14.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $16,013 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Richmond, Kentucky, the hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist is projected to be $12.83 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $14.59. This rate impacts both full-time and part-time workers significantly. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this hourly wage equates to just over $24,000 annually, a figure that may not support comfortable living in an area with a cost of living index of 89.3—beneath the national average. For per-diem workers, common in this field, earnings can fluctuate widely. With hourly rates ranging from $9.35 for entry-level positions to about $19.21 for top earners, the professional environment can include remote home offices, hospital health information management (HIM) departments, and third-party coding company production floors, each setting influencing the overall experience and pay scale.
About the Richmond 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) | $9.35 | $74.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $10.86 | $86.85 |
| Median (P50) | $12.83 | $102.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $16.02 | $128.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $19.21 | $153.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $12.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $12.83/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, KY can expect to earn approximately $26,688 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $15,397. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $513.24 | $2,224 | $26,688 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $307.94 | $1,334 | $16,013 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $205.29 | $890 | $10,675 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Richmond) | $12.83 |
| 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 Richmond, KY earn a median of $26,684 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.08% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $27,090.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $12.83/hr = $16,013/year (purchasing power: $17,932).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $26,688/year (purchasing power: $29,886).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$11.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$12.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$12.83/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Richmond (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $11.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $11.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $11.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $12.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $12.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Richmond grew 9.6% from $11.44/hr (2021) to $12.54/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.13/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Examining part-time earning potential, an individual working 24 hours a week as a medical billing and coding specialist in Richmond would take home about $26,684 annually. In contrast, full-time positions—which may offer health insurance and additional benefits—often come with a lower hourly pay rate, as specialists may opt for stability over higher wages that come with per-diem or freelance roles. For instance, it is not uncommon for independent coders to charge between $25 to $42 hourly, with CCS inpatient coders earning $35 to $55 per hour, and CRC risk adjustment specialists seeing rates between $40 to $65 when working directly with Medicare Advantage payers. When considering different employers, hourly rates can vary significantly; physician group practices and ambulatory surgery centers might pay lower compared to third-party coding firms that typically offer remote work opportunities. For many professionals, accepting a lower hourly rate with benefits becomes a trade-off when comparing job security against the volatility of agency positions. Those looking to negotiate their hourly pay in Richmond should leverage their expertise in ICD-10-CM coding and stay updated on industry trends to enhance their bargaining power.
More salary data for Richmond, KY:
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 Richmond. 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 Richmond 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