Medical Billing Salary

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Portland, ME: $16.28 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Portland, ME runs $16.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $33,863 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.9, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $15.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,316 per year.

$33,863
Median Annual Salary
$16.28/hr
Hourly Rate
$26,089
Entry Level (P10)
$47,073
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Rate in Portland, ME — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Portland, ME medical billing and coding specialist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Medical billing and coding specialists in Portland, ME, earn a median hourly rate of $16.28, which surpasses the national median of $14.59. This favorable rate is significant for part-time and per-diem workers, who can find opportunities across various work environments, such as remote home offices, hospital Health Information Management (HIM) departments, and third-party coding companies. The hourly range for professionals in this field varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $12.54 and top earners potentially reaching $22.63. The data derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates projected to 2026 reflects the competitive nature of medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in Portland, driven in part by the transition to remote work and the increasing demand for accurate coding in healthcare settings.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$12.54$100.36
Lower Range (P25)$13.23$105.84
Median (P50)$16.28$130.23
Upper Range (P75)$18.63$149.06
Top Earners (P90)$22.63$181.07

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland

Based on $16.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a medical billing and coding specialist in Portland earning $16.28/hr would make approximately $19,535 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $33,861 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$19,535Reduced (32 hr/wk)$26,047Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$33,861

At $16.28/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $33,861 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,535. With a cost-of-living index of 101.86 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$130.23
per 8hr shift
$651.16
per week
$2,822
per month
$33,861
per year

Schedule Comparison in Portland

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$651.16$2,822$33,861
Part-Time (24 hrs)$390.70$1,693$20,316
Per Diem (16 hrs)$260.47$1,129$13,544

Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Portland)$16.28
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in Portland ($33,863) with Maine average ($17,527) and the US national median ($30,349).Portland$33,863Maine Avg$17,527+93.20%US National$30,349+11.58%

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Portland, ME earn a median of $33,863 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.58% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 93.20% above the Maine state average of $17,527.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $16.28/hr = $20,316/year (purchasing power: $19,946).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $33,861/year (purchasing power: $33,243).

CoL index: 101.858 (100 = national average).

2021 BLS Actual

$18.08/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$15.91/hr

2026 Current Est.

$16.28/hr

2021–2027 Growth

+-7.9%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Portland (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Portland. Baseline $18.08/hr in 2025, projected to $16.66/hr by 2027.$15$17$19$22$2420212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$18.08$19.79$21.03$22.81$15.91$16.28$16.66
YearHourly RateStatus
2021$18.08/hrActual
2022$19.79/hrActual
2023$21.03/hrActual
2024$22.81/hrActual
2025$15.91/hrActual
2026(current)$16.28/hrEstimated
2027$16.66/hrProjected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Portland grew -12.0% from $18.08/hr (2021) to $15.91/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.66/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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portland metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Portland

Part-time medical billing and coding specialists working three days a week, or around 24 hours, may take home a salary of approximately $33,860 annually, highlighting a noteworthy difference when compared to full-time earnings. Furthermore, per-diem medical billing and coding specialists in Portland often have the potential to earn significantly higher hourly rates, with typical billing ranging from $25 to $42 per hour. Specialized coders, such as CCS inpatient coders, might command pay rates between $35 and $55 per hour, while risk adjustment specialists may see compensation reach between $40 and $65 per hour. Hourly wages can also fluctuate based on the employer type; for instance, those working for physician group practices or insurance companies may encounter different pay scales than their counterparts in third-party coding firms. Many specialists are faced with the trade-off of accepting a lower hourly rate for the security of health benefits, while others may prioritize higher pay without benefits. For those negotiating their hourly rates, it's beneficial to understand the local market rates and leverage credentials from recognized institutions like AAPC or AHIMA as a means to justify higher pay within Portland’s healthcare environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Portland in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Portland is $16.28/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Rates range from $12.54 at entry level (10th percentile) to $22.63 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 11.6% above the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Portland?

A part-time medical billing and coding specialist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Portland earns approximately $1,693/month, or $20,316/year at the median hourly rate of $16.28. Many medical billing and coding specialists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are medical billing and coding specialists in Portland paid hourly or salary?

The majority of medical billing and coding specialists in Portland are paid hourly at a median rate of $16.28/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $33,861/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Portland?

A full-time medical billing and coding specialist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Portland earns approximately $33,861/year at the median hourly rate of $16.28. This is 11.6% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $47,077/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Portland?

Part-time and per diem medical billing and coding specialists in Portland sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $22.63/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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 Portland. 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

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