Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Providence, RI: $17.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Providence, RI runs $17.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $36,812 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Providence's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.8, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $17.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,091 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Providence, RI, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay stands at a commendable $17.70, significantly higher than the national median of $14.59. This elevated hourly rate reflects the city's growing demand for skilled professionals in health information management, particularly in a work environment that increasingly favors remote settings. Medical billing and coding specialists can often find flexible opportunities, whether part-time at hospital HIM departments, full-time in physician group coding cubicles, or as per-diem workers with third-party coding companies. The hourly range in Providence spans from $12.29 at entry-level positions to an impressive $24.13 for top earners within the profession, as projected for 2026 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) based on 2025 data.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $12.29 | $98.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.91 | $111.24 |
| Median (P50) | $17.70 | $141.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.38 | $155.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.13 | $193.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Providence
Based on $17.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.70/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Providence, RI can expect to earn approximately $36,819 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,242. With a cost-of-living index of 101.77 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Providence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Providence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $708.05 | $3,068 | $36,819 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $424.83 | $1,841 | $22,091 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $283.22 | $1,227 | $14,728 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Providence) | $17.70 |
| 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 Providence, RI earn a median of $36,812 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.30% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 108.10% above the Rhode Island state average of $17,689.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.70/hr = $22,091/year (purchasing power: $21,706).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $36,819/year (purchasing power: $36,177).
CoL index: 101.773 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$22.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.70/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-20.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Providence (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Providence grew -23.9% from $22.72/hr (2021) to $17.30/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.11/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 Providence 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 Providence
For those considering part-time work as a medical billing and coding specialist in Providence, a schedule of three days per week can yield significant income, translating to an annual take-home that varies widely based on hours worked and employer type. Per-diem workers in this field commonly charge between $25 and $42 per hour, while specialized coders, such as CCS inpatient coders, often earn $35 to $55 hourly. Opportunities also abound in locations ranging from ambulatory surgery centers to insurance company coding audit teams, each providing distinct pay scales and benefits. Some specialists may choose lower hourly rates for the security of health insurance and other benefits, while others prefer higher wages without benefits. Negotiating for a better hourly rate can be critical; candidates should emphasize certifications from AAPC or AHIMA, highlight experience with ICD-10-CM and CPT coding, and showcase knowledge of the growing risk adjustment sector to enhance their bargaining power in Providence’s bustling job market.
More salary data for Providence, 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 Providence. 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