Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Salem, OR: $16.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Salem, OR runs $16.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $33,833 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $15.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,304 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salem, Oregon, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected to be $16.27 in 2026, exceeding the national median of $14.59. This hourly rate reflects a competitive edge for professionals in the region, particularly for part-time workers who may opt for 24-hour work weeks, earning a steady income while balancing other commitments. The hourly pay range for these specialists in Salem varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $10.28 and top earners making up to $22.67. This flexibility allows for diverse employment arrangements, whether in remote home offices, hospital health information management (HIM) departments, or third-party coding companies. Official BLS data indicates these professionals are increasingly sought after across various settings, making this a viable career option in Oregon’s evolving healthcare landscape.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.28 | $82.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.88 | $111.08 |
| Median (P50) | $16.27 | $130.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.41 | $147.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.67 | $181.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salem
Based on $16.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.27/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salem, OR can expect to earn approximately $33,839 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,523. With a cost-of-living index of 103.65 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $650.76 | $2,820 | $33,839 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $390.45 | $1,692 | $20,304 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $260.30 | $1,128 | $13,536 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Salem) | $16.27 |
| 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 Salem, OR earn a median of $33,833 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.48% higher than the national median of $30,349.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.27/hr = $20,304/year (purchasing power: $19,589).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $33,839/year (purchasing power: $32,648).
CoL index: 103.649 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$22.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$15.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.27/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-25.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Salem (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 | $23.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $15.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Salem grew -29.1% from $22.42/hr (2021) to $15.90/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.65/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 Salem 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 Salem
For part-time medical billing and coding specialists working three days a week in Salem, the annual take-home from the hourly pay can significantly differ from full-time earnings. By working just 24 hours a week, these specialists might earn approximately $33,054 annually, reflecting solid income potential while allowing for flexibility. Furthermore, the per diem or agency roles can enhance earnings considerably; 1099 medical coders often bill between $25 to $42 per hour, while specialized roles such as CCS inpatient coders command rates of $35 to $55 per hour. Hourly wages also fluctuate based on employer types in Salem, where positions in physician group practices, hospital departments, and consulting firms may offer varying rates, but typically come with a trade-off between higher hourly pay and job-related benefits. Understanding these dynamics is key for negotiation, and specialists should be prepared to discuss the total compensation value, which includes health insurance, retirement benefits, and PTO alongside hourly pay. Crafting a tailored negotiation strategy could help optimize earnings in this competitive field.
More salary data for Salem, 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 Salem. 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