Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Arecibo, PR: $8.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Arecibo, PR runs $8.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $16,812 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Puerto Rico's regional price level (BEA RPP 75.0, 25% below national), each hour of work buys what $10.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $10,088 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Arecibo, Puerto Rico, medical billing and coding specialists earn a median hourly rate of $8.08, considerably lower than the national average of $14.59. This disparity highlights the unique economic landscape of the region and the challenges faced by local healthcare professionals. For those considering part-time positions or per-diem work, the pay scale offers varying opportunities; working three days a week could yield approximately $622.08 monthly before taxes. Entry-level positions may see hourly wages around $6.76, while top earners can make up to $13.41, according to official BLS data. Medical billing and coding specialists primarily work in diverse settings such as remote home offices, hospital health information management departments, and third-party coding companies, reflecting the shift toward flexible work arrangements since 2020.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $6.76 | $54.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $6.98 | $55.83 |
| Median (P50) | $8.08 | $64.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $10.25 | $82.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $13.41 | $107.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arecibo
Based on $8.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $8.08/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arecibo, PR can expect to earn approximately $16,813 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $9,700.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Arecibo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $323.33 | $1,401 | $16,813 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $194.00 | $841 | $10,088 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $129.33 | $560 | $6,725 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Arecibo) | $8.08 |
| 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 Arecibo, PR earn a median of $16,812 per year (2026 est.), which is 44.60% lower than the national median of $30,349.
2021 BLS Actual
$10.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$7.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$8.08/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-21.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Arecibo (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $10.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $11.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $10.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $11.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $7.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $8.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $8.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Arecibo grew -25.0% from $10.54/hr (2021) to $7.90/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $8.27/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 Arecibo 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 Arecibo
Beyond the base pay, part-time medical billing and coding specialists in Arecibo could earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts when considering annual income. For instance, a 24-hour work week translating to a little over $16,000 annually is not competitive against full-time roles. Meanwhile, per-diem medical billing and coding specialists often command higher rates, sometimes billing between $25 and $42 per hour, depending on the skills required like CCS accreditation or expertise in risk adjustment coding. Additionally, hourly compensation varies with employer type—physician practices may offer a different rate compared to insurance companies or ambulatory surgical centers. Many specialists weigh the trade-off between lower hourly rates that include health benefits versus higher pay without. For those negotiating their value, knowing the benchmark rates and being equipped with industry certification recognition from AAPC or AHIMA is crucial in these discussions within Arecibo's local job market.
More salary data for Arecibo, PR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Arecibo in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Arecibo?
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Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Arecibo?
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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 Arecibo. 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