Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Hastings, NE: $7.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Hastings, NE runs $7.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $15,713 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Hastings's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $8.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $9,424 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Hastings, Nebraska, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay stands at a median rate of $7.55, which reflects a significant difference when compared to the national median of $14.59. This lower hourly rate influences part-time workers who may be employed just three days a week; they could find themselves earning around $1,200 monthly before taxes. In practice, this translates into limited earnings for those working within a range of typical settings, including remote home offices, hospital HIM departments, and coding cubicles. For entry-level specialists, the hourly wage can start as low as $5.42, while top earners can reach up to $11.44, creating a wage disparity that can be challenging to navigate for professionals seeking better compensation in this field.
About the Hastings Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $5.42 | $43.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $6.31 | $50.51 |
| Median (P50) | $7.55 | $60.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $9.35 | $74.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $11.44 | $91.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hastings
Based on $7.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $7.55/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hastings, NE can expect to earn approximately $15,707 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $9,061. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hastings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hastings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $302.05 | $1,309 | $15,707 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $181.23 | $785 | $9,424 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $120.82 | $524 | $6,283 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Hastings) | $7.55 |
| 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 Hastings, NE earn a median of $15,713 per year (2026 est.), which is 48.23% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 2.40% below the Nebraska state average of $16,100.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $7.55/hr = $9,424/year (purchasing power: $10,299).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $15,707/year (purchasing power: $17,166).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$6.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$7.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$7.55/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Hastings (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $6.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $6.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $7.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $7.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $7.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $7.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Hastings grew 9.6% from $6.73/hr (2021) to $7.38/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $7.73/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 Hastings 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 Hastings
For part-time medical billing and coding specialists working a 24-hour week, the financial landscape shifts considerably, offering less revenue compared to full-time counterparts who typically reap substantial annual benefits. Additionally, per-diem positions in Hastings can be lucrative, with some coders billing $25 to $42 per hour based on their credential levels; CCS inpatient coders may earn between $35 and $55, while CRC risk adjustment specialists sometimes see rates between $40 and $65. The hourly rates fluctuate across various employers, with physician group practices and hospitals often paying less than third-party coding companies or consulting firms, which may offer superior compensation without benefits. When negotiating, specialists must weigh the trade-offs between lower wages with health insurance and higher hourly rates with no additional perks. Knowledge of local pay trends and assertive negotiation tactics can help professionals in Hastings maximize their earning potential in this competitive field.
More salary data for Hastings, NE:
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 Hastings. 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 Hastings 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