Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Leland, NC: $12.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Leland, NC runs $12.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $26,100 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Leland's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $13.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $15,655 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Leland, North Carolina, the hourly pay for medical billing and coding specialists is projected to be $12.54 in 2026, which is lower than the national hourly median of $14.59. This disparity highlights the economic context in which local practitioners operate, particularly when many are offering remote services from home offices or working within traditional settings such as hospitals and physician group practices. The hourly rates range from $9.99 for entry-level positions to approximately $18.75 for experienced specialists, emphasizing a competitive landscape for securing better-paying roles. Various work arrangements, such as part-time schedules typically consisting of three days a week, can complicate earnings further, particularly for those focusing on per-diem positions.
About the Leland Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina 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) | $9.99 | $79.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.14 | $89.14 |
| Median (P50) | $12.54 | $100.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $15.76 | $126.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $18.75 | $149.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Leland
Based on $12.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $12.54/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Leland, NC can expect to earn approximately $26,092 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $15,053. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Leland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Leland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $501.78 | $2,174 | $26,092 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $301.07 | $1,305 | $15,655 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $200.71 | $870 | $10,437 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Leland) | $12.54 |
| 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 Leland, NC earn a median of $26,100 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.00% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 7.10% below the North Carolina state average of $28,094.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $12.54/hr = $15,655/year (purchasing power: $16,726).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $26,092/year (purchasing power: $27,877).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$11.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$12.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$12.54/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Leland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $11.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $11.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $11.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $12.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $12.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $12.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Leland grew 9.6% from $11.19/hr (2021) to $12.26/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $12.84/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 Leland 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 Leland
Part-time medical billing and coding specialists in Leland working 24-hour weeks may find their overall income significantly less than a full-time counterpart, impacting their total take-home pay. For those pursuing per-diem opportunities, billing rates can vary widely; many 1099 coders charge between $25 and $42 per hour, with specialized inpatient coders and risk adjustment specialists potentially earning even more. Differences across employer types like third-party coding companies, ambulatory surgery centers, and hospital coding departments will also contribute to pay variability. Some professionals may opt for lower hourly wages to access health insurance benefits, balancing immediate income with long-term needs. Strategies for negotiating better hourly compensation include understanding typical pay scales in Leland and highlighting relevant qualifications like AAPC or AHIMA certifications, as well as specialization in highly sought-after areas such as HCC risk adjustment coding.
More salary data for Leland, NC:
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 Leland. 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 Leland 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