Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Johnston, RI: $8.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Johnston, RI runs $8.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $17,107 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Johnston's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $8.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $10,267 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Johnston, Rhode Island, the projected hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist stands at $8.23. This figure is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $14.59, highlighting a considerable wage gap for professionals in this field. Such an hourly rate translates to a manageable, albeit modest income for part-time workers, such as those working three days a week in settings like remote home offices or hospital health information management (HIM) departments. Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Johnston may expect to earn around $6.47 per hour, with experienced professionals potentially earning up to $12.75 per hour. This range reflects varying levels of expertise and the nature of employment, whether with third-party coding companies or in-office positions within physician groups.
About the Johnston 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) | $6.47 | $51.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $7.10 | $56.81 |
| Median (P50) | $8.23 | $65.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $10.42 | $83.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $12.75 | $101.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnston
Based on $8.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $8.23/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnston, RI can expect to earn approximately $17,111 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $9,872. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Johnston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $329.06 | $1,426 | $17,111 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $197.44 | $856 | $10,267 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $131.62 | $570 | $6,844 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Johnston) | $8.23 |
| 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 Johnston, RI earn a median of $17,107 per year (2026 est.), which is 43.63% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 3.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $17,691.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $8.23/hr = $10,267/year (purchasing power: $10,216).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $17,111/year (purchasing power: $17,026).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$7.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$8.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$8.23/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Johnston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $7.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $7.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $7.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $8.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $8.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $8.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Johnston grew 9.6% from $7.34/hr (2021) to $8.04/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $8.42/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 Johnston 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 Johnston
Evaluating the earning potential for part-time medical billing and coding specialists in Johnston is essential. A professional working 24 hours per week could bring home approximately $10,447 annually, markedly less than their full-time counterparts. In contrast, per-diem medical billing and coding specialists often command higher pay rates, billing between $25 and $42 per hour, depending on their specialization and employer type. The coding landscape varies across different settings, such as physician practices and insurance companies; hospital inpatient coding roles may pay more but come with less flexibility. Many professionals must weigh the trade-off between higher hourly wages with no benefits against lower hourly rates accompanied by health insurance. For those working hourly, negotiating for better pay can be crucial; being informed about local rates and the unique demands of specialized coding, like risk adjustment, can help in securing advantageous terms. Understanding these dynamics is vital for anyone considering a career as a medical billing and coding specialist in RI.
More salary data for Johnston, 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 Johnston. 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 Johnston 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