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.
Official BLS data · View source

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
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 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.
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.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buffalo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Role | Median 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 |
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 (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.59/hr | Projected |
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 (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo 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.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Buffalo 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 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