Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Cortland, NY: $13.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Cortland, NY runs $13.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $28,186 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Cortland's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.9, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $11.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $16,907 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Medical billing and coding specialists in Cortland, NY, earn an average hourly rate of $13.55, which is slightly below the national median of $14.59. This rate provides a solid foundation for part-time employees and those seeking per-diem opportunities, especially as many coding roles remain remote following the pandemic. With Cortland's hourly earnings ranging from $10.59 at the entry-level to $20.03 for top earners, specialists can find flexibility in both their working schedules and environments, such as remote home offices, hospital coding departments, and third-party coding companies. The diversity in settings allows these professionals to tailor their work experience to better suit their lifestyles, aligning their pay with individual life circumstances and financial goals.
About the Cortland Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.59 | $84.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.90 | $95.20 |
| Median (P50) | $13.55 | $108.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $16.88 | $135.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $20.03 | $160.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cortland
Based on $13.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $13.55/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cortland, NY can expect to earn approximately $28,178 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,257. With a cost-of-living index of 115.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Cortland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cortland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $541.89 | $2,348 | $28,178 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $325.13 | $1,409 | $16,907 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $216.75 | $939 | $11,271 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Cortland) | $13.55 |
| 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 Cortland, NY earn a median of $28,186 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.13% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 7.90% below the New York state average of $30,604.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $13.55/hr = $16,907/year (purchasing power: $14,587).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $28,178/year (purchasing power: $24,312).
CoL index: 115.9 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$12.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$13.55/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Cortland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $12.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $12.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $12.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Cortland grew 9.6% from $12.08/hr (2021) to $13.24/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.86/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 Cortland 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 Cortland
Considering a part-time role, a medical billing and coding specialist working three days a week could bring home approximately $21,164 annually, a significant contrast to full-time earners. For those exploring per diem positions, it's worthwhile to note that many 1099 medical coders could charge between $25 and $42 per hour, which presents higher earning potential than traditional hourly rates. In Cortland, the compensation varies significantly across employer types; a medical coder in a hospital’s inpatient coding department may earn differently than those in ambulatory surgery centers or working for insurance companies. Additionally, specialists often face the dilemma of accepting lower hourly rates for the benefits of job security and health insurance versus pursuing higher hourly rates with flexible, benefits-free 1099 arrangements. To negotiate effectively in Cortland, it’s crucial to research prevailing rates and articulate the value that specialized coding skills, particularly in risk adjustment and HCC coding, can bring to prospective employers.
More salary data for Cortland, NY:
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 Cortland. 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 Cortland 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