Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in State College, PA: $13.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in State College, PA runs $13.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $28,296 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against State College's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $14.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $16,971 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Medical billing and coding specialists in State College, Pennsylvania, earn a median hourly rate of $13.60, which is slightly below the national median of $14.59. This discrepancy reflects not only local market dynamics but also the cost of living index in the area, which is below the national average. For part-time and per-diem professionals, such as those working in remote home offices or in physician group practices, this hourly rate translates to manageable weekly earnings. The hourly range for specialists in this role can vary significantly, spanning from $10.42 at entry-level positions to $21.74 for top earners, showcasing the potential for increased income with experience and additional certifications. This information is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, offering a solid framework for prospective professionals considering a career in medical billing and coding in State College.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.42 | $83.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.74 | $93.89 |
| Median (P50) | $13.60 | $108.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.55 | $140.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $21.74 | $173.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in State College
Based on $13.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $13.60/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in State College, PA can expect to earn approximately $28,285 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,318. With a cost-of-living index of 96.76 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in State College.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in State College
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $543.93 | $2,357 | $28,285 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $326.36 | $1,414 | $16,971 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $217.57 | $943 | $11,314 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (State College) | $13.60 |
| 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 State College, PA earn a median of $28,296 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.76% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 0.10% above the Pennsylvania state average of $28,267.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $13.60/hr = $16,971/year (purchasing power: $17,539).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $28,285/year (purchasing power: $29,231).
CoL index: 96.762 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$13.60/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-26.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in State College (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in State College grew -29.6% from $18.87/hr (2021) to $13.29/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.91/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 State College 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 State College
Given the structure of hourly work, a medical billing and coding specialist working three days a week, equating to a total of 24 hours, can expect to take home around $17,292 annually based on the median pay. In contrast, full-time workers in this field might significantly increase their earnings. The per diem medical billing and coding specialist pay in State College offers even higher opportunities for those willing to pursue 1099 contracting roles, where hourly rates can range from $25 to $42, depending on the specific coding skill set and workplace demands. Employers such as hospitals, physician practices, and third-party coding companies may each present different pay scales, often influenced by the complexity of the coding required and the benefits offered with full-time roles being more competitive. Specialists may find it worthwhile to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for employer-provided benefits, particularly in a region where healthcare costs can be high. Therefore, negotiating for pay and benefits requires careful consideration of these aspects, along with the competitive landscape shaped by the growth in risk adjustment and HCC coding roles associated with Medicare Advantage plans.
More salary data for State College, 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 State College. 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