Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Los Alamos, NM: $7.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Los Alamos, NM runs $7.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $15,315 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Los Alamos's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $7.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $9,194 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Los Alamos, New Mexico, the projected median hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist is $7.37, which is significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $14.59. This disparity illustrates the local economic landscape and its impact on earning potential. For professionals working part-time, perhaps three days a week, this pay translates to roughly $11,000 annually, providing a modest income. Those in per-diem roles, which have become more prevalent in the work-from-home environment post-2020, may find themselves earning substantially more for specific assignments. The hourly rates for a variety of settings, from hospital health information management (HIM) departments to coding agencies, range from $5.73 at the entry-level up to $11.15 for more experienced coders. Thus, this structure allows for flexibility in work hours while varying compensation based on experience and work conditions.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico 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) | $5.73 | $45.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $6.48 | $51.81 |
| Median (P50) | $7.37 | $58.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $9.19 | $73.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $11.15 | $89.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Alamos
Based on $7.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $7.37/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Alamos, NM can expect to earn approximately $15,323 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $8,840. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Los Alamos.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Alamos
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $294.68 | $1,277 | $15,323 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $176.81 | $766 | $9,194 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $117.87 | $511 | $6,129 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Los Alamos) | $7.37 |
| 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 Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $15,315 per year (2026 est.), which is 49.54% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $16,611.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $7.37/hr = $9,194/year (purchasing power: $9,739).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $15,323/year (purchasing power: $16,232).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$6.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$7.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$7.37/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Los Alamos (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $6.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $6.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $6.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $7.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $7.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $7.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Los Alamos grew 9.6% from $6.57/hr (2021) to $7.20/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $7.54/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 Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos
Shifting focus to part-time earnings, a medical billing and coding specialist working part-time over a typical 24-hour work week may bring home around $11,000 annually compared to the potential income of a full-time position. For those seeking per diem work, compensation can be significantly higher, with rates for 1099 medical coders typically ranging from $25 to $42 per hour. Specialized roles can further drive income, with CCS inpatient coders averaging $35 to $55 an hour, while CRC risk adjustment specialists commanding between $40 and $65 per hour. Employers in Los Alamos vary widely, with physicians’ practices often offering lower hourly rates to balance benefits such as health insurance, while third-party coding companies may provide higher cash pay without the benefits. Specialists looking to negotiate their hourly rate should emphasize their experience with ICD-10-CM coding and ongoing education through AAPC or AHIMA certifications, especially as the demand for risk adjustment coding continues to surge.
More salary data for Los Alamos, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Los Alamos in 2026?
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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 Los Alamos. 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 Los Alamos 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