Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Sugar Land, TX: $12.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Sugar Land, TX runs $12.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $26,687 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Sugar Land's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $13.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $16,013 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Sugar Land, Texas, the projected hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists is set at $12.83 for 2026. This figure is noticeably lower than the national median of $14.59, reflecting regional economic conditions and differences in demand. For those working part-time, say at three days a week, this translates to a modest income that may limit financial flexibility. The typical work environments—ranging from remote positions post-2020, to hospital coding departments and third-party coding firms—offer varying experiences but still pay within an hourly range that starts at $9.39 for entry-level roles and reaches up to $19.89 for top earners. Understanding these figures is critical for anyone considering a career in this field or seeking to negotiate their pay.
About the Sugar Land 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) | $9.39 | $75.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $10.93 | $87.42 |
| Median (P50) | $12.83 | $102.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $16.42 | $131.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $19.89 | $159.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sugar Land
Based on $12.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $12.83/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sugar Land, TX can expect to earn approximately $26,688 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $15,397. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sugar Land.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sugar Land
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $513.24 | $2,224 | $26,688 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $307.94 | $1,334 | $16,013 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $205.29 | $890 | $10,675 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Sugar Land) | $12.83 |
| 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 Sugar Land, TX earn a median of $26,687 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.07% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 0.30% below the Texas state average of $26,767.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $12.83/hr = $16,013/year (purchasing power: $16,680).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $26,688/year (purchasing power: $27,800).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$11.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$12.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$12.83/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Sugar Land (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $11.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $11.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $11.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $12.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $12.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Sugar Land grew 9.6% from $11.44/hr (2021) to $12.54/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.13/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 Sugar Land 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 Sugar Land
When considering part-time positions, a medical billing and coding specialist working 24 hours weekly could potentially earn around $15,800 annually. However, this remains significantly less than a full-time salary, emphasizing a trade-off between hours worked and take-home pay. For per-diem or agency medical coders, the pay increases substantially; many professionals in this model often charge between $25 to $42 per hour. Employers like physician group practices may offer lower rates compared to lucrative opportunities in large hospital inpatient coding departments or third-party billing companies. Some professionals might accept reduced pay for the stability of health benefits, while others prefer higher hourly wages without the added security. Negotiating pay in Sugar Land can be effectively approached by highlighting specialized training in coding systems like ICD-10-CM or risk adjustment experience, reflecting the skills that are increasingly valuable in today's evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Sugar Land, 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 Sugar Land. 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 Sugar Land 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