Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Taos, NM: $7.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Taos, NM runs $7.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $15,287 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Taos's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $7.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $9,169 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Taos, New Mexico, the prevailing medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay stands at $7.35, which is considerably lower than the national hourly median of $14.59. This wage reflects the local demand dynamics and can significantly impact both full-time and part-time professionals in the field. For those working three days a week, the reduced hours can mean a more flexible lifestyle while still providing a steady income. Medical billing and coding specialists often find employment in various settings, including remote home offices—a shift predominantly seen post-2020—hospital HIM departments, and coding production floors with third-party companies. Despite a pay range that spans from $5.70 for entry-level roles to $10.86 for seasoned experts in Taos, many specialists are drawn to the less intense pace of smaller practices or the opportunity for per-diem work that brings different earning experiences.
About the Taos 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) | $5.70 | $45.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $6.45 | $51.57 |
| Median (P50) | $7.35 | $58.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $8.99 | $71.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $10.86 | $86.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Taos
Based on $7.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $7.35/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Taos, NM can expect to earn approximately $15,281 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $8,816. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Taos.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Taos
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $293.86 | $1,273 | $15,281 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $176.32 | $764 | $9,169 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $117.55 | $509 | $6,112 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Taos) | $7.35 |
| 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 Taos, NM earn a median of $15,287 per year (2026 est.), which is 49.63% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 8.00% below the New Mexico state average of $16,616.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $7.35/hr = $9,169/year (purchasing power: $9,712).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $15,281/year (purchasing power: $16,187).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$6.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$7.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$7.35/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Taos (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $6.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $6.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $6.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $7.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $7.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $7.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Taos grew 9.6% from $6.55/hr (2021) to $7.18/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $7.52/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 Taos 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 Taos
The potential for part-time work in medical billing and coding in Taos presents a stark contrast to full-time positions. A medical billing and coding specialist working 24 hours a week could reasonably expect to take home around $15,721 annually, which highlights how part-time options can fit a variety of lifestyles. Conversely, professionals in per-diem or agency positions can command significantly higher rates, often billing between $25 and $42 per hour. Specialized roles, such as CCS inpatient coders or CRC risk adjustment specialists, see rates ranging from $35 to $65 per hour, showcasing the lucrative potential of niche expertise. The diversity in pay rates across employer types in Taos—ranging from physician practices to consulting firms—allows for varied negotiating scenarios. Some specialists accept lower hourly rates for the stability of benefits like health insurance, while others may opt for higher pay without such perks. Understanding the balance between hourly rate and benefits could be key in shaping one's decision as a medical billing and coding professional in New Mexico. Effective negotiation techniques can enhance earning potential; emphasizing specific skills or experience relevant to the coding needs of potential employers in Taos can help specialists improve their compensation.
More salary data for Taos, 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 Taos. 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 Taos 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