Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Harlingen, TX: $11.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Harlingen, TX runs $11.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $23,436 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Harlingen's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $11.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $14,059 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Harlingen, Texas, the projected hourly pay for medical billing and coding specialists stands at $11.27, reflecting a notable gap from the national median of $14.59. This disparity can influence part-time and per-diem workers who seek flexible arrangements across various settings, such as remote home offices, hospital health information management departments, and consulting client sites. For those starting in the profession, the pay can range from $8.06 at the lower end to as high as $17.46 for seasoned professionals. The wide-ranging hourly rate indicates potential for growth as specialists gain experience, develop additional coding skills, or move into specific niches such as risk adjustment coding or consulting roles that are seeing increased demand.
About the Harlingen Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $8.06 | $64.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $9.86 | $78.91 |
| Median (P50) | $11.27 | $90.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $14.08 | $112.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $17.46 | $139.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Harlingen
Based on $11.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $11.27/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Harlingen, TX can expect to earn approximately $23,432 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $13,519. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Harlingen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Harlingen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $450.62 | $1,953 | $23,432 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $270.37 | $1,172 | $14,059 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $180.25 | $781 | $9,373 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Harlingen) | $11.27 |
| 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 Harlingen, TX earn a median of $23,436 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.78% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 12.40% below the Texas state average of $26,754.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $11.27/hr = $14,059/year (purchasing power: $14,645).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $23,432/year (purchasing power: $24,408).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$10.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$11.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$11.27/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Harlingen (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $10.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $10.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $10.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $11.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $11.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $11.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Harlingen grew 9.6% from $10.05/hr (2021) to $11.01/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $11.53/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 Harlingen 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 Harlingen
While part-time medical billing and coding specialists working three days a week (24 hours) can expect to take home around $27,052 annually, full-time positions tend to offer financial stability due to consistent hours and healthcare benefits that can justify a lower hourly rate in some cases. In contrast, many per-diem medical billing and coding specialists in Harlingen, especially those billing through agencies, command rates between $25 and $42 per hour. Additionally, CCS and CRC specialists can command even higher pay in both inpatient settings and risk adjustment projects with Medicare Advantage payers. Variability in hourly rates also reflects employer types; coding offices in physician groups might offer lower hourly wages compared to third-party coding companies that facilitate remote positions. Healthcare benefits often lead some specialists to accept lower hourly rates for full-time jobs, while others may prioritize higher per diem wages. Lastly, successful negotiation in Harlingen often hinges on clearly demonstrating coding capabilities, experience, and the value brought to prospective employers.
More salary data for Harlingen, TX:
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 Harlingen. 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 Harlingen 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