Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Boston, MA: $17.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Boston, MA runs $17.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $35,881 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Boston's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.3, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $15.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,529 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Boston, Massachusetts, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected to be $17.25 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $14.59. This substantial rate reflects not only the demand for skilled professionals in the area but also the increasing prevalence of remote work in the field, with many specialists operating from home offices. Entry-level positions begin around $12.99, rising to $23.47 for top earners within the industry. This hourly compensation allows for flexible work arrangements, making it attractive for those seeking part-time opportunities or per-diem roles in various settings, including hospitals, physician group practices, and third-party coding companies. Ultimately, the data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics underscores the favorable conditions for medical billing and coding specialists working in Boston, an environment where pay is elevated compared to national standards.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $12.99 | $103.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.03 | $112.22 |
| Median (P50) | $17.25 | $138.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.54 | $172.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.47 | $187.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boston
Based on $17.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.25/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boston, MA can expect to earn approximately $35,882 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,701. With a cost-of-living index of 108.27 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Boston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $690.05 | $2,990 | $35,882 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $414.03 | $1,794 | $21,529 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $276.02 | $1,196 | $14,353 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Boston) | $17.25 |
| 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 Boston, MA earn a median of $35,881 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.23% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 3.50% above the Massachusetts state average of $34,667.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.25/hr = $21,529/year (purchasing power: $19,886).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,882/year (purchasing power: $33,143).
CoL index: 108.266 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$28.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.25/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-38.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Boston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Boston grew -40.8% from $28.47/hr (2021) to $16.86/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.65/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 Boston 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 Boston
Evaluating the earning potential for a part-time medical billing and coding specialist reveals an interesting contrast to full-time income. Those working approximately 24 hours a week might bring home around $26,060 annually, a figure that, while modest, offers flexibility and work-life balance. In comparison, per diem medical billing and coding specialists in Boston often charge between $25 and $42 per hour, with CCS inpatient coders earning from $35 to $55 per hour, highlighting the lucrative opportunities available through agency or contract work. Furthermore, hourly pay can vary significantly based on employer type; for instance, positions within physician practice coding offices and hospital departments may offer different compensation structures than those in insurance companies or consulting firms. While some specialists may opt for lower hourly pay for the stability of health benefits, others might pursue higher rates in less traditional roles. To maximize earning potential, it's important for workers to understand local market conditions and negotiate effectively, being mindful of current trends in medical coding specialties, such as risk adjustment and HCC coding, that dominate the field.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
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 Boston. 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