Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Ellicott City, MD: $9.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Ellicott City, MD runs $9.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $19,322 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Ellicott City's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $8.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $11,595 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Ellicott City, Maryland, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly rate is projected to be $9.29 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $14.59. This discrepancy suggests a challenging job market for these specialists, particularly for part-time workers who may only earn on average $445 for a three-day work week. Many professionals in this field have shifted to remote settings, which have become standard since 2020, with employment opportunities available in hospital HIM departments, coding offices, and third-party companies. The hourly wages range from $6.60 for entry-level positions to $14.32 for top earners in the region. This variation highlights the potential for career advancement but also indicates that many in Ellicott City will need to navigate below-average compensation compared to national standards.
About the Ellicott City Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $6.60 | $52.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $7.74 | $61.88 |
| Median (P50) | $9.29 | $74.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $11.57 | $92.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $14.32 | $114.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ellicott City
Based on $9.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $9.29/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ellicott City, MD can expect to earn approximately $19,325 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $11,149. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Ellicott City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ellicott City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $371.63 | $1,610 | $19,325 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $222.98 | $966 | $11,595 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $148.65 | $644 | $7,730 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Ellicott City) | $9.29 |
| 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 Ellicott City, MD earn a median of $19,322 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.33% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 0.40% above the Maryland state average of $19,245.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $9.29/hr = $11,595/year (purchasing power: $10,608).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $19,325/year (purchasing power: $17,680).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$8.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$9.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$9.29/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Ellicott City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $8.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $8.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $8.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $9.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $9.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $9.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Ellicott City grew 9.6% from $8.28/hr (2021) to $9.08/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $9.51/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 Ellicott City 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 Ellicott City
Part-time medical billing and coding professionals working 24 hours a week might earn around $19,107 annually, making their income considerably lower than full-time counterparts. Those who opt for per diem roles can expect a much higher hourly return, commonly billing at rates between $25 and $42. Certain specialties can lead to even higher incomes, such as inpatient coders and risk adjustment specialists, who may see hourly pay off the 1099 format reach as high as $40-$65. It’s worth noting that pay can fluctuate dramatically across different employer types in Ellicott City. Physician groups and hospitals often provide reduced hourly pay in exchange for health benefits, while remote third-party companies may offer higher rates, albeit without the stability of full-time employment. Workers negotiating their hourly pay should look into these benefits and consider their personal priorities, whether they favor flexible work arrangements or a more stable income with benefits in mind.
More salary data for Ellicott City, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Ellicott City in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Ellicott City?
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Related Pages
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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 Ellicott City. 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 Ellicott City 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