Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Hammond, LA: $13.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Hammond, LA runs $13.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $28,522 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Hammond's regional price level (BEA RPP 84.5, 16% below national), each hour of work buys what $16.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $17,111 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hammond, Louisiana, medical billing and coding specialists earn a median hourly rate of $13.71, which falls below the national average of $14.59. This figure reflects the financial landscape for those considering part-time positions, typically seen in remote home offices, outpatient clinics, and third-party coding firms. For instance, specialists working three days a week may find their schedules quite manageable while earning an hourly rate that ranges from $9.80 for entry-level roles to $20.81 for more experienced coders. These projections are drawn from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, showcasing a growing field that remains vital in today's healthcare environment.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $9.80 | $78.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $10.97 | $87.75 |
| Median (P50) | $13.71 | $109.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $16.65 | $133.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $20.81 | $166.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hammond
Based on $13.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $13.71/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hammond, LA can expect to earn approximately $28,519 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,453. With a cost-of-living index of 84.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hammond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hammond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $548.44 | $2,377 | $28,519 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $329.06 | $1,426 | $17,111 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $219.37 | $951 | $11,407 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Hammond) | $13.71 |
| 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 Hammond, LA earn a median of $28,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.02% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 11.00% above the Louisiana state average of $25,695.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $13.71/hr = $17,111/year (purchasing power: $20,260).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $28,519/year (purchasing power: $33,766).
CoL index: 84.46 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$22.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$13.71/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-37.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Hammond (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Hammond grew -40.3% from $22.43/hr (2021) to $13.40/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.03/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 Hammond 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 Hammond
When evaluating the potential for part-time work, a medical billing and coding specialist engaging in a 24-hour work week might expect an annual income of approximately $32,200, compared to those who work full-time. Per-diem opportunities further enhance earning prospects, with 1099 coders often billing rates that vary significantly; for example, CCS-certified inpatient coders might earn between $35 to $55 per hour, while specialized risk adjustment clinicians may fetch $40 to $65 per hour. The hourly rates can also fluctuate based on employer type, with coding positions in physician group practices generally offering lower rates than those at hospital departments or remote coding companies. Some specialists may accept lower hourly rates for roles that include health benefits, balancing immediate pay with long-term security. For those negotiating salaries, understanding the local market and the specifics of industry credentials, such as those from AAPC or AHIMA, might provide leverage in discussions about medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in Hammond.
More salary data for Hammond, LA:
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 Hammond. 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