Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Bristol, RI: $8.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Bristol, RI runs $8.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $16,747 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Bristol's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $8.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $10,050 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Hourly compensation for medical billing and coding specialists in Bristol, RI, is projected to be around $8.05 in 2026, significantly lower than the national average of $14.59. For part-time workers, such as those taking shifts three days a week, this translates to approximately $644 a month before taxes, while those in per-diem roles can expect varying rates based on their experience and employer type. Entry-level positions may start as low as $5.99 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $12.30 per hour. Given Bristol's healthcare landscape, encompassing remote home offices and various coding environments, the hourly pay reflects the area's cost of living and market demand for coding specialists, particularly in settings like hospital HIM departments and third-party coding companies.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $5.99 | $47.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $6.85 | $54.76 |
| Median (P50) | $8.05 | $64.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $9.66 | $77.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $12.30 | $98.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bristol
Based on $8.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $8.05/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bristol, RI can expect to earn approximately $16,749 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $9,663. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bristol.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bristol
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $322.10 | $1,396 | $16,749 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $193.26 | $837 | $10,050 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $128.84 | $558 | $6,700 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Bristol) | $8.05 |
| 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 Bristol, RI earn a median of $16,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 44.82% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $17,684.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $8.05/hr = $10,050/year (purchasing power: $10,000).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $16,749/year (purchasing power: $16,666).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$7.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$7.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$8.05/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bristol (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $7.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $7.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $7.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $7.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $8.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $8.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Bristol grew 9.6% from $7.18/hr (2021) to $7.87/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $8.24/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 Bristol 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 Bristol
While the hourly wage in Bristol may appear modest compared to national figures, the earning potential for part-time specialists can amount to a different reality. For example, working 24 hours weekly could yield an annual take-home of roughly $16,747, making full-time positions more attractive for comprehensive benefit packages. Per-diem medical billing and coding specialist pay in Bristol can significantly exceed standard hourly rates, with freelancers billing anywhere from $25 to $42 or more per hour, especially those specializing in inpatient coding or risk adjustment—fields experiencing robust growth. While compensation varies among physician practices, hospitals, and consulting firms, some may choose lower hourly rates for stable employment benefits, which can be appealing. When negotiating hourly pay, it is crucial for specialists to consider their skill sets, certifications like CPC or CCS from AAPC or AHIMA, and available positions that reflect the ongoing transition to remote work, which continues to reshape job prospects across Rhode Island.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
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 Bristol. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bristol is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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