Medical Billing Salary

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.

$14,300
Median Annual Salary
$6.88/hr
Hourly Rate
$10,760
Entry Level (P10)
$21,717
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Rate in Meridian, MS — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Meridian, MS medical billing and coding specialist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileHourly RatePer 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.

Horizontal bars showing a medical billing and coding specialist in Meridian earning $6.88/hr would make approximately $8,251 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $14,302 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$8,251Reduced (32 hr/wk)$11,001Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$14,302

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.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$55.01
per 8hr shift
$275.04
per week
$1,192
per month
$14,302
per year

Schedule Comparison in Meridian

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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

RoleMedian 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
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in Meridian ($14,300) with Mississippi average ($15,085) and the US national median ($30,349).Meridian$14,300Mississippi Avg$15,085-5.20%US National$30,349-52.88%

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 (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Meridian. Baseline $6.13/hr in 2025, projected to $7.04/hr by 2027.$4$7$10$14$1720212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$6.13$6.20$6.41$14.84$6.72$6.88$7.04
YearHourly RateStatus
2021$6.13/hrActual
2022$6.20/hrActual
2023$6.41/hrActual
2024$14.84/hrActual
2025$6.72/hrActual
2026(current)$6.88/hrEstimated
2027$7.04/hrProjected

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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meridian metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Meridian in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Meridian is $6.88/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Rates range from $5.18 at entry level (10th percentile) to $10.44 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 52.9% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Meridian?

A part-time medical billing and coding specialist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Meridian earns approximately $715/month, or $8,581/year at the median hourly rate of $6.88. Many medical billing and coding specialists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are medical billing and coding specialists in Meridian paid hourly or salary?

The majority of medical billing and coding specialists in Meridian are paid hourly at a median rate of $6.88/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $14,302/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Meridian?

A full-time medical billing and coding specialist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Meridian earns approximately $14,302/year at the median hourly rate of $6.88. This is 52.9% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $21,708/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Meridian?

Part-time and per diem medical billing and coding specialists in Meridian sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $10.44/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Mississippi

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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