Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Starkville, MS: $7.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Starkville, MS runs $7.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $14,670 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Starkville's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $8.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $8,798 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in Starkville, Mississippi is projected to be $7.05, showcasing a significant difference when compared to the national median hourly rate of $14.59. This disparity can heavily influence part-time and per-diem workers, as those who work three days a week (around 24 hours) would be earning considerably less than their peers nationally. With an hourly range from $5.01 at the entry-level up to $10.62 for top earners, many specialists find themselves in typical settings such as remote home offices or hospital coding cubicles. The low pay scale in Starkville reflects the overall economic landscape, which is compounded by the affordability of living in the area, noted to have a Cost of Living Index of 85.7 compared to the national average.
About the Starkville 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) | $5.01 | $40.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $6.29 | $50.34 |
| Median (P50) | $7.05 | $56.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $8.71 | $69.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $10.62 | $84.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Starkville
Based on $7.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $7.05/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Starkville, MS can expect to earn approximately $14,664 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $8,460. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Starkville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Starkville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $281.99 | $1,222 | $14,664 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $169.20 | $733 | $8,798 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $112.80 | $489 | $5,865 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Starkville) | $7.05 |
| 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 Starkville, MS earn a median of $14,670 per year (2026 est.), which is 51.66% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 2.80% below the Mississippi state average of $15,092.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $7.05/hr = $8,798/year (purchasing power: $10,266).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $14,664/year (purchasing power: $17,110).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$6.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$6.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$7.05/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Starkville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $6.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $6.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $6.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $6.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $7.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $7.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Starkville grew 9.6% from $6.29/hr (2021) to $6.89/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $7.21/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 Starkville 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 Starkville
The earning potential for part-time medical billing and coding specialists can vary greatly depending on their work schedules and employment types. For a professional working only three days a week, the total income may amount to roughly $10,438 annually, in stark contrast to full-time counterparts. Many coders may consider per-diem opportunities, where 1099 medical coders can bill as much as $25-$42 per hour, making that route more lucrative. Different employers in Starkville, such as physician group practices or consulting firms, usually offer varying rates; hospital coding departments tend to provide more stable but possibly lower hourly rates, while third-party coding companies may present flexible work-from-home arrangements. The decision to accept lower hourly wages for consistent health benefits often comes down to personal priorities. Those negotiating hourly pay should be prepared to discuss their specialized skills in ICD-10-CM and CPT coding, making a case for why their expertise warrants a higher rate.
More salary data for Starkville, 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 Starkville. 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 Starkville 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