Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in South Valley, NM: $7.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in South Valley, NM runs $7.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $16,092 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against South Valley's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $8.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $9,654 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Valley, New Mexico, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected at $7.74 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $14.59 per hour. This disparity poses challenges for part-time and per-diem workers who often strive to balance work and personal commitments. For those employed three days a week, operating on a typical 24-hour schedule, the earning potential may limit the ability to cover rising living expenses. Entry-level professionals can expect to start at around $5.46 per hour, while more experienced specialists can earn top rates near $11.99. Given that remote work has become standard post-2020, many in South Valley find opportunities in home offices or consulting firms, although competition remains high in traditional settings such as hospital HIM departments and physician group practices.
About the South Valley 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) | $5.46 | $43.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $6.87 | $54.93 |
| Median (P50) | $7.74 | $61.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $9.81 | $78.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $11.99 | $95.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Valley
Based on $7.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $7.74/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Valley, NM can expect to earn approximately $16,090 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $9,282. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Valley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Valley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $309.42 | $1,341 | $16,090 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $185.65 | $804 | $9,654 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $123.77 | $536 | $6,436 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (South Valley) | $7.74 |
| 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 South Valley, NM earn a median of $16,092 per year (2026 est.), which is 46.98% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 3.20% below the New Mexico state average of $16,624.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $7.74/hr = $9,654/year (purchasing power: $10,226).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $16,090/year (purchasing power: $17,044).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$6.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$7.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$7.74/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in South Valley (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $6.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $6.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $7.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $7.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $7.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $7.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in South Valley grew 9.6% from $6.90/hr (2021) to $7.56/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $7.91/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 South Valley 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 South Valley
Regarding earning potential, part-time medical billing and coding specialists can take home a modest annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. With a part-time schedule, their take-home pay will reflect a significant cut below full-time salaries, making it crucial for them to consider supplemental work or side gigs for financial stability. On the other hand, per diem medical billing and coding specialist pay in South Valley can be more lucrative, with rates ranging from $25 to $42 per hour for 1099 positions depending on specialization, such as risk adjustment coding that can command even higher rates. Hourly earnings also vary widely based on employer types; those working for payer or insurance companies often see different pay scales compared to those in inpatient coding departments. Many specialists opt for lower hourly wages with benefits, such as health insurance, instead of higher rates without coverage. For those negotiating their pay, emphasizing relevant credentials or recent training in coding updates, like ICD-10-CM, can help achieve more favorable hourly rates while building a career in a growing field.
More salary data for South Valley, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in South Valley 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 South Valley. 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 South Valley 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