Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Metairie, LA: $13.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Metairie, LA runs $13.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $27,952 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Metairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $14.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $16,766 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Metairie, Louisiana, the hourly pay for medical billing and coding specialists stands at a median of $13.43, which falls short of the national median hourly rate of $14.59. This difference highlights the local economic conditions, as the cost of living index in Metairie is below the national average at 90.3. For part-time professionals working three days a week, the income can be substantial, especially when considering the flexibility that remote positions often offer. From entry-level coders earning around $9.12 to experienced specialists making as much as $20.83 per hour, the financial landscape varies widely in this profession. Employment settings range from remote home offices to hospital HIM departments and third-party coding companies, reflecting the diverse opportunities available to medical billing and coding specialists in the area.
About the Metairie Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $9.12 | $72.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.71 | $93.64 |
| Median (P50) | $13.43 | $107.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.04 | $136.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $20.83 | $166.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Metairie
Based on $13.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $13.43/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Metairie, LA can expect to earn approximately $27,944 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,122. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Metairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Metairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $537.38 | $2,329 | $27,944 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $322.43 | $1,397 | $16,766 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $214.95 | $931 | $11,178 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Metairie) | $13.43 |
| 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 Metairie, LA earn a median of $27,952 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.90% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 8.80% above the Louisiana state average of $25,691.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $13.43/hr = $16,766/year (purchasing power: $18,567).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $27,944/year (purchasing power: $30,946).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$11.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$13.43/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Metairie (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $11.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $12.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $12.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Metairie grew 9.6% from $11.98/hr (2021) to $13.13/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.75/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 Metairie 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 Metairie
Part-time earning potential can yield different annual take-home amounts depending on the number of hours worked. For instance, a medical billing and coding specialist working 24 hours a week may earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts over the year, limiting financial growth unless they transition to a full-time schedule. For those exploring per diem roles, the pay can be considerably higher; agency coders typically bill between $25 and $42 per hour, with CCS inpatient coders commanding $35 to $55 per hour. Additionally, in Metairie, coding professionals might find varied compensation based on their employer. Those in physician group practices may earn less than workers in hospital inpatient departments or third-party coding companies, where work-from-home arrangements are now prevalent. Many specialists weigh lower hourly wages against valuable benefits like health insurance; this trade-off often shapes their job choices. For negotiating hourly pay, being mindful of the industry standards and having relevant credentials from organizations like AAPC or AHIMA can significantly influence outcomes, especially in a city like Metairie with evolving demands in medical coding practices.
More salary data for Metairie, 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 Metairie. 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 Metairie 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