Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Scranton, PA: $12.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Scranton, PA runs $12.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $25,554 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Scranton's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $13.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $15,336 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Scranton, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $12.29 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $14.59. This gap means that individuals in this profession may find themselves at a disadvantage, especially those considering part-time arrangements or per-diem opportunities. For instance, working a standard three-day week could yield around $24,000 annually, making part-time employment less lucrative compared to full-time positions. The hourly range for entry-level specialists starts at approximately $10.56, while more experienced coders can earn up to $18.42, reflecting the diverse opportunities available within local hospital HIM departments, remote coding environments, and third-party coding companies.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.56 | $84.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $10.95 | $87.59 |
| Median (P50) | $12.29 | $98.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $13.91 | $111.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $18.42 | $147.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Scranton
Based on $12.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $12.29/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Scranton, PA can expect to earn approximately $25,560 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $14,746. With a cost-of-living index of 93.56 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Scranton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Scranton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $491.55 | $2,130 | $25,560 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $294.93 | $1,278 | $15,336 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $196.62 | $852 | $10,224 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Scranton) | $12.29 |
| 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 Scranton, PA earn a median of $25,554 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.80% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 9.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $28,268.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $12.29/hr = $15,336/year (purchasing power: $16,393).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $25,560/year (purchasing power: $27,321).
CoL index: 93.556 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$17.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$12.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$12.29/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-29.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Scranton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $12.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $12.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $12.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Scranton grew -32.5% from $17.80/hr (2021) to $12.01/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $12.57/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 Scranton 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 Scranton
Shifting focus to the earnings landscape, part-time medical billing and coding specialists can expect to take home around $24,000 annually when working 24 hours per week. In contrast, per-diem medical coders often command significantly higher rates, billing anywhere from $25 to $42 per hour, with specialty areas such as inpatient coding or risk adjustment yielding rates of $35 to $65 per hour for 1099 independent contractors. In Scranton, the hourly pay often varies depending on the employer type. For example, physician group practices may offer lower hourly rates but include essential health benefits, whereas third-party coding companies might provide higher pay without benefits. For specialists seeking to enhance their hourly earnings, negotiating for better terms is critical; open discussions about skill sets, credentialing from organizations like AAPC or AHIMA, and recent industry shifts towards remote work can strengthen their position.
More salary data for Scranton, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Scranton in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Scranton?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Scranton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Scranton?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Scranton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 Scranton. 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