Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Meridian, MS: $6.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Meridian, MS runs $6.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $14,300 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Meridian's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $8.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $8,581 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Meridian, Mississippi, medical billing and coding specialists earn a median hourly pay of $6.88, a figure that significantly lags behind the national median of $14.59. This discrepancy presents challenges for those considering part-time or per-diem opportunities in diverse settings, including remote home offices, hospital HIM departments, and physician group practices. For specialists working three days a week, the hourly rate translates to a limited income potential, with entry-level positions starting around $5.18 per hour. Those at the higher end of the spectrum can expect to make up to $10.44 hourly. Given the projected growth rate of 2.32% in the field, this remains an appealing yet financially limited career option in the region, especially as most work environments have transitioned towards remote models in the past few years.
About the Meridian 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) | $5.18 | $41.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $5.92 | $47.39 |
| Median (P50) | $6.88 | $55.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $8.54 | $68.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $10.44 | $83.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Meridian
Based on $6.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $6.88/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Meridian, MS can expect to earn approximately $14,302 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $8,251. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Meridian.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Meridian
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $275.04 | $1,192 | $14,302 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $165.02 | $715 | $8,581 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $110.01 | $477 | $5,721 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Meridian) | $6.88 |
| 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 Meridian, MS earn a median of $14,300 per year (2026 est.), which is 52.88% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 5.20% below the Mississippi state average of $15,085.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $6.88/hr = $8,581/year (purchasing power: $10,013).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $14,302/year (purchasing power: $16,688).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$6.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$6.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$6.88/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Meridian (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $6.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $6.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $6.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $6.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $6.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $7.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Meridian grew 9.6% from $6.13/hr (2021) to $6.72/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $7.04/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 Meridian 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 Meridian
Looking at the earning potential for a medical billing and coding specialist working part-time, a 24-hour work week results in an annual income of approximately $8,505, significantly less than what full-time coders could expect to make. Conversely, per-diem medical billing and coding specialists in Meridian can charge considerably higher rates, often between $25 and $42 per hour, especially for niche roles such as CCS inpatient coders, who can command up to $55 hourly. Employers across the area vary in their compensation, with physician group practices and hospital departments typically offering lower rates compared to third-party coding companies, which frequently operate remotely. Generally, specialists must weigh the benefits of regular employment against higher hourly positions that lack health insurance and steady income. Negotiating for better rates or benefits is essential in Meridian’s market, as knowing the local averages and what to expect from each type of employer can enhance one's earning potential in this pivotal field.
More salary data for Meridian, 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 Meridian. 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 Meridian 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