Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Portland, OR: $17.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Portland, OR runs $17.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $36,729 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.4, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $16.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,040 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Portland, Oregon, medical billing and coding specialists earn a median hourly rate of $17.66, significantly surpassing the national median of $14.59. This favorable pay can enhance opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers, particularly those who may wish to work in flexible settings such as remote home offices or hospital HIM departments. The hourly wage ranges from $13.76 for entry-level positions to $24.39 for those at the highest earning levels. The growth in remote positions, accelerated since 2020, presents a unique landscape for these specialists, allowing them to navigate various coding environments—be it in-person at physician group practices or from the comfort of their homes with third-party coding companies. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, the hourly pay reflects both the demand for coding professionals and the specialized nature of this work.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.76 | $110.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.42 | $115.34 |
| Median (P50) | $17.66 | $141.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.67 | $173.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.39 | $195.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $17.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.66/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, OR can expect to earn approximately $36,734 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,193. With a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $706.42 | $3,061 | $36,734 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $423.85 | $1,837 | $22,040 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $282.57 | $1,224 | $14,693 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Portland) | $17.66 |
| 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 Portland, OR earn a median of $36,729 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.02% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 8.60% above the Oregon state average of $33,820.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.66/hr = $22,040/year (purchasing power: $20,907).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $36,734/year (purchasing power: $34,845).
CoL index: 105.421 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$25.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.66/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-28.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Portland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $25.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Portland grew -31.8% from $25.30/hr (2021) to $17.26/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.07/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 Portland 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 Portland
Part-time medical billing and coding specialists working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, can expect to take home approximately $21,350 annually, illustrating how reduced hours impact total earnings when compared to full-time positions. However, those opting for per-diem, agency, or locum tenens work can command rates ranging between $25 and $42 per hour, with CCS inpatient coders potentially earning between $35 and $55 per hour. This variability highlights the earnings potential differing across employer types in Portland, with physician group practices and hospitals often providing stability and benefits, while third-party coding companies and consulting firms may offer higher pay rates but fewer perks. For specialists negotiating hourly pay, knowing the market rates and understanding the trade-offs between hourly wages and health benefits can be vital. Engaging in this dialogue with confidence can significantly affect their earning potential in a competitive job market, particularly in the evolving landscape of medical coding, including specialties like risk adjustment and HCC coding.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
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 Portland. 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