Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Cleveland, OH: $17.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Cleveland, OH runs $17.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $36,765 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Cleveland's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.9, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $18.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,066 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cleveland, Ohio, medical billing and coding specialists earn a median hourly pay of $17.68, significantly higher than the national median of $14.59. This rate provides an attractive financial incentive for part-time professionals and per-diem workers, who may operate in various settings such as remote home offices, hospital Health Information Management departments, or even consulting firms. With an hourly range spanning from $11.27 at entry-level positions to $26.88 for top earners, the potential for growth in this field is evident. Official BLS estimates for 2026 suggest that individuals in this role can realistically expect to earn higher wages compared to their counterparts in many other states, reflecting the demand for skilled coding professionals as health systems expand and require precise billing practices.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.27 | $90.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.64 | $109.11 |
| Median (P50) | $17.68 | $141.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.74 | $173.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.88 | $215.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland
Based on $17.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.68/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland, OH can expect to earn approximately $36,776 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,217. With a cost-of-living index of 93.92 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $707.24 | $3,065 | $36,776 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $424.34 | $1,839 | $22,066 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $282.89 | $1,226 | $14,711 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Cleveland) | $17.68 |
| 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 Cleveland, OH earn a median of $36,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.14% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 29.70% above the Ohio state average of $28,346.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.68/hr = $22,066/year (purchasing power: $23,493).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $36,776/year (purchasing power: $39,156).
CoL index: 93.923 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$22.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.68/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-19.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Cleveland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Cleveland grew -23.4% from $22.57/hr (2021) to $17.28/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.09/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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland
Looking closer at earning potential for part-time specialists, a medical billing and coding expert working three days a week for 24 hours annually might bring home about $20,840, a figure that is lower than what a full-time colleague would earn, but it offers the flexibility many workers seek. Per diem and agency coding roles often present more lucrative opportunities; those in 1099 positions may command hourly rates between $25 and $42, with inpatient coders earning up to $55 per hour. Additionally, salaries vary based on employer types, influenced by whether the specialist works in physician group practices, hospital inpatient units, or third-party coding operations. While some may accept lower hourly rates for the stability of a benefits package, others prioritize higher pay without fringe benefits. Negotiation tactics should emphasize skills and credentials, particularly with AAPC or AHIMA certifications, especially in a market recognizing the rapid growth of risk adjustment and HCC coding specialties.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
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 Cleveland. 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