Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Joplin, MO: $13.41 (2026)

The earning potential for medical billing and coding specialists can greatly vary, particularly for those working part-time or in per-diem capacities. A medical coder working just three days a week could net around $20,000 annually, versus a full-time specialist who might earn upwards of $27,892 per year. For individuals in the per-diem market, hourly rates can be substantially higher, with many billing between $25 and $42 per hour, particularly for CCS inpatient coders or CRC risk adjustment specialists seeking to maximize their earnings. The type of employer can also influence rates; coding specialists in private physician practices may earn less than their counterparts in hospital inpatient departments or consulting firms. While higher hourly wages may attract some professionals, the trade-off typically involves benefits such as health insurance. Those negotiating hourly pay should emphasize their skills in ICD-10-CM and CPT code updates, aligning their requests with the expected increases in demand for risk adjustment coding in Joplin, MO, as outlined by industry trends.