Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Grand Forks, ND: $13.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Grand Forks, ND runs $13.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $27,216 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Grand Forks's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.7, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $15.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $16,332 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Grand Forks, North Dakota, the average compensation for medical billing and coding specialists stands at $13.09 per hour, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $14.59. This difference may impact professionals seeking part-time or per-diem work arrangements. For those opting to work three days a week, typically around 24 hours, this hourly rate translates to about $26,000 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. The hourly pay can span from $11.19 for entry-level positions to as high as $23.53 for those with notable experience or in specialized roles. Given the landscape of remote work opportunities in the post-2020 era, many specialists find themselves working from home, alongside traditional roles in hospital HIM departments or coding offices in physician groups, emphasizing the need for flexible work schedules in this field.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.19 | $89.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.19 | $89.55 |
| Median (P50) | $13.09 | $104.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $16.56 | $132.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.53 | $188.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Forks
Based on $13.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $13.09/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Forks, ND can expect to earn approximately $27,220 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $15,704. With a cost-of-living index of 86.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Forks.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Forks
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $523.47 | $2,268 | $27,220 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $314.08 | $1,361 | $16,332 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $209.39 | $907 | $10,888 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Grand Forks) | $13.09 |
| 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 Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $27,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.32% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 68.10% above the North Dakota state average of $16,190.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $13.09/hr = $16,332/year (purchasing power: $18,846).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $27,220/year (purchasing power: $31,409).
CoL index: 86.663 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$22.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$12.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$13.09/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-40.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Grand Forks (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $12.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Grand Forks grew -43.0% from $22.42/hr (2021) to $12.79/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.39/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 Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks
Specialists in the Grand Forks area who consider per-diem positions often see significantly higher pay rates, ranging between $25 and $42 per hour for 1099 coding work. Unique positions, such as CCS inpatient coders, can command between $35 and $55 per hour, while CRC risk adjustment specialists can achieve rates up to $40 to $65. Variability in hourly pay also exists across different employer types; for instance, coding positions within physician practices and third-party coding companies may offer lower rates than roles in ambulatory surgery centers or insurance company audit teams. While some professionals may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, others prioritize higher hourly earnings and the flexibility of freelance work. Those in roles where negotiation is key should focus on proving their expertise in ICD-10-CM and CPT updates, leveraging certification credentials from AAPC or AHIMA, and demonstrating the value they add to organizations, especially in high-growth areas like risk adjustment coding.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
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 Grand Forks. 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