Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Columbus, MS: $6.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Columbus, MS runs $6.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $14,185 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $7.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $8,505 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Columbus, Mississippi, medical billing and coding specialists earn an hourly median pay of $6.81, significantly lower than the national median of $14.59. This disparity highlights the local economic conditions and the potential challenges for professionals in the area. Specialists in this field often find themselves working in various settings, including remote home offices, hospital health information management (HIM) departments, and bustling coding centers for third-party companies. For part-time workers who may only be employed three days a week, the median hourly rate can translate to a modest annual income. Entry-level coders can start at an hourly wage of around $4.99, while experienced specialists reaching the top of their field might earn up to $9.93, reflecting the range of opportunities available even within a smaller market like Columbus.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $4.99 | $39.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $6.16 | $49.28 |
| Median (P50) | $6.81 | $54.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $8.28 | $66.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $9.93 | $79.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $6.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $6.81/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, MS can expect to earn approximately $14,174 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $8,177. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $272.58 | $1,181 | $14,174 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $163.55 | $709 | $8,505 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $109.03 | $472 | $5,670 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Columbus) | $6.81 |
| 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 Columbus, MS earn a median of $14,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 53.26% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 6.00% below the Mississippi state average of $15,090.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $6.81/hr = $8,505/year (purchasing power: $9,924).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $14,174/year (purchasing power: $16,539).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$6.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$6.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$6.81/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Columbus (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $6.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $6.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $6.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $6.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $6.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $6.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Columbus grew 9.6% from $6.08/hr (2021) to $6.66/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $6.97/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
Part-time medical billing and coding specialists working 24 hours a week might expect to earn around $10,628 annually, in stark contrast to the higher real earnings of full-time employees. For those considering flexible employment options, per-diem medical billing and coding roles can offer much greater pay opportunities, with independent contractors and locum coders earning between $25 and $42 per hour, depending on their experience and the specifics of the job. It's worth noting that hourly rates can vary significantly based on the type of employer. For instance, positions in physician group practices may pay differently than those in hospital coding departments or third-party coding agencies. In Columbus, some professionals may opt for higher hourly pay without benefits, while others may choose lower rates in exchange for job stability and health insurance. Negotiation can play a key role here; candidates should research rates in their specific niche, whether it be risk adjustment or traditional coding, and be prepared to discuss the full value of their skills and certifications with potential employers.
More salary data for Columbus, MS:
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 Columbus. 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 Columbus 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