Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Waco, TX: $12.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Waco, TX runs $12.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $25,595 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Waco's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $13.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $15,362 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Waco, Texas, a medical billing and coding specialist earns an hourly median rate of $12.31, which is notably lower than the national median of $14.59. This discrepancy highlights the economic landscape in Waco, where part-time and per-diem positions are common, especially in settings like remote work-from-home environments, hospital health information management departments, and third-party coding companies. The hourly payroll for this profession ranges from approximately $7.99 at entry-level positions to about $16.74 for the highest earners in the field, with the pay reflecting diverse job settings, including consulting firm locations and ambulatory surgery centers. This data, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data projections for 2026, sheds light on the realities faced by medical billing and coding specialists in navigating their hourly compensation.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $7.99 | $63.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $10.21 | $81.69 |
| Median (P50) | $12.31 | $98.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $14.40 | $115.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $16.74 | $133.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waco
Based on $12.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $12.31/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waco, TX can expect to earn approximately $25,603 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $14,771. With a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $492.36 | $2,134 | $25,603 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $295.42 | $1,280 | $15,362 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $196.95 | $853 | $10,241 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Waco) | $12.31 |
| 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 Waco, TX earn a median of $25,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.66% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 4.40% below the Texas state average of $26,773.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $12.31/hr = $15,362/year (purchasing power: $16,598).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $25,603/year (purchasing power: $27,664).
CoL index: 92.55 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$17.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$12.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$12.31/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-29.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Waco (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $12.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $12.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $12.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Waco grew -32.8% from $17.90/hr (2021) to $12.03/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $12.59/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 Waco 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 Waco
Considering a part-time position for a medical billing and coding specialist in Waco working three days a week, typically translating to around 24 hours, brings in approximately $15,017 annually. When compared to full-time work, this part-time scenario significantly reduces earnings potential, yet it provides the flexibility desired by many professionals in this field. For per-diem medical billing and coding specialists, rates can soar to between $25 and $42 per hour, especially for highly specialized roles such as CCS inpatient coders, who can command rates of $35 to $55. Employers vary across the city, influencing hourly rates between physician group practices, hospitals, and third-party coding services. Some specialists might opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, balancing this trade-off against potentially higher pay rates that come without benefits. Effective negotiation becomes essential in this context. Knowing the local market rates and being ready to advocate for fair compensation is crucial for hourly medical coding professionals in Waco.
More salary data for Waco, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Waco in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Waco?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Waco paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Waco?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Waco?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 Waco. 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