Medical Billing Salary

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Buffalo, NY: $17.19 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Buffalo, NY runs $17.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $35,743 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Buffalo's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $17.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,453 per year.

$35,743
Median Annual Salary
$17.19/hr
Hourly Rate
$23,548
Entry Level (P10)
$49,643
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Rate in Buffalo, NY — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Buffalo, NY medical billing and coding specialist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Buffalo, New York, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in 2026 is projected at $17.19, which exceeds the national hourly median of $14.59 by 17.77%. This competitive rate allows for various employment conditions, appealing to both part-time (typically three days a week) and per-diem workers. For those in flexible positions—often facilitated by remote work options post-2020—these roles can be structured around family or education demands while providing a steady income. The hourly wage ranges from $11.33 for entry-level positions to $23.87 for top earners, reflecting the diverse experience levels within Buffalo's labor market.

When analyzing the financial outlook for those working part-time in medical billing and coding, it’s clear they can still achieve a respectable income. A professional working 24 hours a week can expect an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, yet their flexibility may outweigh the trade-off. Per diem medical billing and coding specialists in Buffalo have the potential to bill rates from $25 to $42 per hour; certified coders specializing in inpatient coding may demand even higher compensation, with rates soaring to between $35 and $55 per hour. Variance in payment also hinges on the type of employer, with physician group practices, hospitals, and insurance companies all offering different compensation packages. Some specialists opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, balancing financial security against higher immediate earnings from freelance or 1099 options. Negotiating salaries based on local industry standards, such as those provided by AAPC and AHIMA, can also enhance earning potential, making strategic career choices essential for success in Buffalo’s medical billing and coding field.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$11.33$90.61
Lower Range (P25)$13.56$108.46
Median (P50)$17.19$137.52
Upper Range (P75)$20.31$162.48
Top Earners (P90)$23.87$190.97

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buffalo

Based on $17.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a medical billing and coding specialist in Buffalo earning $17.19/hr would make approximately $20,628 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $35,755 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$20,628Reduced (32 hr/wk)$27,504Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$35,755

At $17.19/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buffalo, NY can expect to earn approximately $35,755 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,628. With a cost-of-living index of 95.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Buffalo.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$137.52
per 8hr shift
$687.59
per week
$2,980
per month
$35,755
per year

Schedule Comparison in Buffalo

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$687.59$2,980$35,755
Part-Time (24 hrs)$412.55$1,788$21,453
Per Diem (16 hrs)$275.04$1,192$14,302

Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Buffalo)$17.19
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in Buffalo ($35,743) with New York average ($30,602) and the US national median ($30,349).Buffalo$35,743New York Avg$30,602+16.80%US National$30,349+17.77%

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $35,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.77% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 16.80% above the New York state average of $30,602.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $17.19/hr = $21,453/year (purchasing power: $22,383).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,755/year (purchasing power: $37,305).

CoL index: 95.844 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2021 BLS Actual

$22.73/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$16.80/hr

2026 Current Est.

$17.19/hr

2021–2027 Growth

+-22.6%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Buffalo (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Buffalo. Baseline $22.73/hr in 2025, projected to $17.59/hr by 2027.$15$18$22$25$2920212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$22.73$23.87$24.89$26.75$16.80$17.19$17.59
YearHourly RateStatus
2021$22.73/hrActual
2022$23.87/hrActual
2023$24.89/hrActual
2024$26.75/hrActual
2025$16.80/hrActual
2026(current)$17.19/hrEstimated
2027$17.59/hrProjected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Buffalo grew -26.1% from $22.73/hr (2021) to $16.80/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.59/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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Buffalo in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Buffalo is $17.19/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Rates range from $11.33 at entry level (10th percentile) to $23.87 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 17.8% above the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Buffalo?

A part-time medical billing and coding specialist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Buffalo earns approximately $1,788/month, or $21,453/year at the median hourly rate of $17.19. Many medical billing and coding specialists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are medical billing and coding specialists in Buffalo paid hourly or salary?

The majority of medical billing and coding specialists in Buffalo are paid hourly at a median rate of $17.19/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $35,755/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Buffalo?

A full-time medical billing and coding specialist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Buffalo earns approximately $35,755/year at the median hourly rate of $17.19. This is 17.8% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $49,652/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Buffalo?

Part-time and per diem medical billing and coding specialists in Buffalo sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $23.87/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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 Buffalo. 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

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