Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Albuquerque, NM: $17.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Albuquerque, NM runs $17.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $35,620 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Albuquerque's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $17.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,376 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albuquerque, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected to reach $17.13 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $14.59. This hourly rate provides a solid foundation for both part-time and per-diem workers across various settings, including remote home offices, hospital HIM departments, and third-party coding companies. New professionals entering this field can expect to earn around $10.94, while the most experienced specialists may see rates as high as $21.71. The structure of the pay reflects the evolving nature of healthcare administration, with many coding roles now related to risk adjustment and remote work becoming increasingly common since the pandemic transformed workplace norms.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.94 | $87.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.57 | $108.54 |
| Median (P50) | $17.13 | $137.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.96 | $159.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $21.71 | $173.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albuquerque
Based on $17.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.13/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albuquerque, NM can expect to earn approximately $35,627 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,554. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albuquerque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albuquerque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $685.13 | $2,969 | $35,627 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $411.08 | $1,781 | $21,376 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $274.05 | $1,188 | $14,251 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Albuquerque) | $17.13 |
| 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 Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $35,620 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.37% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 114.40% above the New Mexico state average of $16,614.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.13/hr = $21,376/year (purchasing power: $22,373).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,627/year (purchasing power: $37,288).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$22.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.13/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-21.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Albuquerque (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Albuquerque grew -25.4% from $22.43/hr (2021) to $16.74/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.53/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 Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque
For those considering part-time work, a 3-day/week schedule can lead to annual earnings around $32,000, a figure that offers a unique opportunity compared to full-time employment; however, this still reflects a practical income for many. Per-diem medical billing and coding specialists in Albuquerque often bill a higher rate, with typical pay ranging from $25 to $42 per hour, and specialized roles such as CCS inpatient coders earning between $35 and $55. Hourly pay varies between employer types, with coding positions in physician groups, hospitals, and third-party services presenting different compensation models. The decision to take on positions with a lower hourly rate but added benefits like health insurance can be a common trade-off for specialists. Negotiating hourly rates requires an awareness of local payer trends and maintaining up-to-date credentials through recognized bodies such as AAPC or AHIMA.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
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 Albuquerque. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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