Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Lancaster, PA: $12.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Lancaster, PA runs $12.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $26,907 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $13.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $16,141 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, medical billing and coding specialists earn a median hourly rate of $12.93, which is notably below the national average of $14.59. This rate is crucial for individuals working part-time or in per-diem roles. For example, a medical billing and coding specialist working three days a week can expect to make a steady income while balancing other commitments. In typical work environments—ranging from remote home offices to hospital HIM departments, coding cubicles in physician groups, and third-party coding company floors—entry-level professionals may earn about $10.58 per hour, while seasoned experts can command rates as high as $19.56. This data is part of the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) analysis for 2026, highlighting the pay nuances within this area. Understanding these figures is essential for job seekers navigating their career paths in Lancaster and surrounding regions.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.58 | $84.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.78 | $94.22 |
| Median (P50) | $12.93 | $103.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $14.41 | $115.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $19.56 | $156.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $12.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $12.93/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, PA can expect to earn approximately $26,901 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $15,520. With a cost-of-living index of 98.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $517.33 | $2,242 | $26,901 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $310.40 | $1,345 | $16,141 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $206.93 | $897 | $10,760 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Lancaster) | $12.93 |
| 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 Lancaster, PA earn a median of $26,907 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.34% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 4.80% below the Pennsylvania state average of $28,264.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $12.93/hr = $16,141/year (purchasing power: $16,427).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $26,901/year (purchasing power: $27,378).
CoL index: 98.257 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$12.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$12.93/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-27.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Lancaster (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $12.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $12.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Lancaster grew -30.6% from $18.21/hr (2021) to $12.64/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.23/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
Examining the part-time earning potential reveals distinct financial outcomes for specialists in Lancaster. A medical billing and coding professional working 24 hours per week could take home around $16,141 annually, a stark contrast to the full-time equivalent that would require a more significant time commitment. The per-diem scenario is particularly lucrative; those engaged in 1099 roles can potentially bill anywhere from $25 to $42 per hour, while CCS inpatient coders average $35 to $55 per hour. Hourly rates fluctuate considerably depending on the employer, with varying compensation seen among physician offices, hospitals, and third-party coding firms. Some professionals accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, presenting a trade-off that requires careful consideration. Effective negotiation in Lancaster might involve highlighting credentials from industry-recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA, experience with ICD-10-CM coding, and specialty knowledge in high-demand areas like risk adjustment, paving the way for more favorable hourly contracts.
More salary data for Lancaster, PA:
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 Lancaster. 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