Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in McAllen, TX: $11.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in McAllen, TX runs $11.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $23,234 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against McAllen's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $13.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $13,944 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In McAllen, Texas, the average hourly compensation for a medical billing and coding specialist in 2026 is projected at $11.17. This figure is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $14.59, highlighting a significant variance that may influence local professionals. For those seeking flexible work arrangements, like part-time or per diem opportunities, the hourly rate impacts income potential considerably. Positions are often available in remote settings, hospital HIM departments, and physician groups, providing ample space for entry-level coders earning approximately $6.43 per hour to those at the top of the pay scale making around $18.20 per hour. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics data indicates that while McAllen presents some lower-end wage opportunities, it still serves as a viable market for those interested in this field.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $6.43 | $51.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $8.81 | $70.48 |
| Median (P50) | $11.17 | $89.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $13.96 | $111.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $18.20 | $145.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in McAllen
Based on $11.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $11.17/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in McAllen, TX can expect to earn approximately $23,241 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $13,408. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in McAllen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in McAllen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $446.93 | $1,937 | $23,241 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $268.16 | $1,162 | $13,944 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $178.77 | $775 | $9,296 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (McAllen) | $11.17 |
| 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 McAllen, TX earn a median of $23,234 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.44% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 13.20% below the Texas state average of $26,767.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $11.17/hr = $13,944/year (purchasing power: $16,234).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $23,241/year (purchasing power: $27,057).
CoL index: 85.895 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$13.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$10.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$11.17/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-18.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in McAllen (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $13.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $10.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $11.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $11.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in McAllen grew -21.7% from $13.95/hr (2021) to $10.92/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $11.43/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 McAllen 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 McAllen
Examining the financial landscape further, a medical billing and coding specialist working three days a week, equating to roughly 24 hours, can expect varied annual take-home income depending on their hourly rate. Those engaged in per diem work often command higher rates, billing between $25 and $42 per hour, depending on their specific roles and expertise within the coding domain. In McAllen, wages can also fluctuate significantly across different types of employers. For instance, professionals coding for physician group practices may earn less than those in high-demand environments like insurance companies or consulting firms. Many specialists weigh the trade-offs of lower hourly rates that include health benefits versus higher pay without them, emphasizing the need for savvy negotiation tactics. Understanding the local market and industry trends, such as the increasing demand for risk adjustment coding, is essential for any coder wanting to optimize their hourly pay in McAllen, TX.
More salary data for McAllen, 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 McAllen. 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