Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Cambridge, MA: $16.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Cambridge, MA runs $16.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $35,024 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Cambridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $15.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,019 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Cambridge, Massachusetts, a medical billing and coding specialist earns a median hourly rate of $16.84, which is notable compared to the national median of $14.59. This higher pay reflects the city’s competitive job market and is advantageous for both part-time employees and per diem workers, who can find opportunities in various settings, such as remote home offices, hospital health information management departments, and third-party coding firms. Entry-level specialists can expect to start around $11.55 per hour, with the most experienced professionals potentially earning up to $26.10 per hour, representing a broad range of compensation based on experience and employer. These estimates are grounded in projected data derived from annual salary figures and illustrate the financial landscape for those entering or progressing in the field in Cambridge.
About the Cambridge Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.55 | $92.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.75 | $110.01 |
| Median (P50) | $16.84 | $134.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.42 | $171.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.10 | $208.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cambridge
Based on $16.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.84/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cambridge, MA can expect to earn approximately $35,031 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,210. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Cambridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cambridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $673.67 | $2,919 | $35,031 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $404.20 | $1,752 | $21,019 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $269.47 | $1,168 | $14,012 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Cambridge) | $16.84 |
| 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 Cambridge, MA earn a median of $35,024 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.40% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 1.10% above the Massachusetts state average of $34,643.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.84/hr = $21,019/year (purchasing power: $19,372).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,031/year (purchasing power: $32,287).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$15.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.84/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Cambridge (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Cambridge grew 9.6% from $15.02/hr (2021) to $16.46/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.23/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 Cambridge 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 Cambridge
For specialists considering part-time work, earning a stable income as a medical billing and coding professional operating three days a week translates to a significant difference in annual income compared to full-time positions. A part-time worker clocking in 24 hours a week can realistically expect an annual income reflective of their hourly rate, leading to approximately $26,000. In contrast, per diem medical billing and coding specialists enjoy flexibility, billing anywhere from $25 to $42 per hour based on their expertise and specifics of the job. Different employer types in Cambridge also impact hourly wages; positions in physician group practices or hospitals tend to offer lower rates than high-demand areas such as risk adjustment specialists at Medicare Advantage companies, where 1099 coders can command $40 to $65 per hour. While some may choose lower hourly compensation for the security of benefits, negotiations should consider the demands of the job and local market trends. With the expected growth of 2.32% annually, the opportunities for medical coders in this environment remain promising, making it essential for professionals to stay updated on coding practices and regulations, such as ICD-10-CM and CPT updates.
More salary data for Cambridge, 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 Cambridge. 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 Cambridge 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