Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Baltimore, MD: $16.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Baltimore, MD runs $16.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $35,245 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Baltimore's regional price level (BEA RPP 104.5, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $16.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,146 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baltimore, Maryland, the hourly rate for a medical billing and coding specialist is projected to be $16.94 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national hourly median of $14.59. This favorable rate can be particularly beneficial for part-time workers, such as those who might take on a schedule of three days a week, allowing for flexibility in balancing professional and personal commitments. Given the shift towards remote work, many specialists find employment in various settings, including home offices, hospital health information management (HIM) departments, and physician group coding units. For entry-level positions, wages start from around $10.10 per hour, while more experienced professionals can expect to earn up to $24.83 per hour, solidifying Baltimore's medical coding sector as a competitive arena for job seekers.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.10 | $80.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.16 | $105.27 |
| Median (P50) | $16.94 | $135.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.95 | $151.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.83 | $198.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baltimore
Based on $16.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.94/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baltimore, MD can expect to earn approximately $35,244 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,333. With a cost-of-living index of 104.49 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Baltimore.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baltimore
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $677.77 | $2,937 | $35,244 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $406.66 | $1,762 | $21,146 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $271.11 | $1,175 | $14,098 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Baltimore) | $16.94 |
| 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 Baltimore, MD earn a median of $35,245 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.13% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 83.20% above the Maryland state average of $19,239.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.94/hr = $21,146/year (purchasing power: $20,238).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,244/year (purchasing power: $33,730).
CoL index: 104.487 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$23.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.94/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-24.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Baltimore (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Baltimore grew -28.2% from $23.05/hr (2021) to $16.56/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.34/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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore
Examining the earning potential for specialists working part-time versus full-time hours reveals interesting insights. Medical billing and coding specialists dedicated to a 24-hour workweek could expect to take home about $35,245 annually, which remains substantially lower compared to full-time equivalents. For those engaged in per-diem or contract roles, the pay often rises significantly, with 1099 workers billing between $25 and $42 per hour for general positions, and even higher rates on offer for CCS inpatient coders and CRC risk adjustment specialists. Hourly rates can fluctuate based on the employer type—physician practices, hospital departments, or coding firms all present different remuneration structures. Many specialists may choose lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance; however, negotiating for higher pay without benefits is also common. Understanding these dynamics can be pivotal for professionals in the Baltimore area as they pursue career opportunities in the ever-evolving field of medical billing and coding.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
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 Baltimore. 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