Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Portsmouth, VA: $13.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Portsmouth, VA runs $13.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $27,406 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Portsmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $12.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $16,447 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portsmouth, Virginia, medical billing and coding specialists can expect a median hourly pay of $13.18, which trails behind the national median of $14.59. This rate reflects the nature of work in health care settings that have broadly adopted remote operations since 2020. Medical coders often find themselves working from home offices or in environments such as hospital health information management departments, physician group practices, third-party coding companies, and consulting firms. The hourly pay range in the local market extends from $9.62 for entry-level positions to $20.42 for experienced specialists, making this profession accessible to various employment types, including part-time, three-day-per-week formats, which can be especially appealing for those balancing other commitments.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $9.62 | $76.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.18 | $89.47 |
| Median (P50) | $13.18 | $105.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $16.62 | $132.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $20.42 | $163.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portsmouth
Based on $13.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $13.18/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portsmouth, VA can expect to earn approximately $27,412 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $15,815. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portsmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portsmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $527.15 | $2,284 | $27,412 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $316.29 | $1,371 | $16,447 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $210.86 | $914 | $10,965 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Portsmouth) | $13.18 |
| 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 Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $27,406 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.70% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $28,312.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $13.18/hr = $16,447/year (purchasing power: $15,937).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $27,412/year (purchasing power: $26,562).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$11.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$12.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$13.18/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Portsmouth (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $11.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $11.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $12.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $12.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Portsmouth grew 9.6% from $11.75/hr (2021) to $12.88/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.48/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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
Working part-time as a medical billing and coding specialist—specifically three days a week—can lead to an annual income that is substantially less than full-time earnings. Many part-time coders clock around 24 hours weekly, typically resulting in annual earnings that, while lower than their full-time counterparts, still offer a viable source of income. Per-diem medical billing and coding specialists in Portsmouth often have the flexibility to negotiate higher rates, commonly billing $25-$42 per hour, with specific roles like inpatient coders and risk adjustment specialists earning even more. Each employer type presents varying pay scales, from physician group practices to remote coding companies; this disparity allows specialists to weigh their options between higher pay without benefits or lower pay with health insurance. For Portsmouth residents, understanding the local job market and its nuances can provide leverage during salary negotiations, ensuring you secure an arrangement that aligns with your financial goals and lifestyle preferences.
More salary data for Portsmouth, VA:
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 Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth 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