Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in South Charleston, WV: $12.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in South Charleston, WV runs $12.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $26,669 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against South Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $14.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $16,000 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In South Charleston, WV, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected to be $12.82 in 2026, a figure that falls below the national median of $14.59 per hour. For professionals in this field, this hourly rate implies that part-time roles, such as working three days a week, would yield a comfortable living for those in various practice settings. Remote work has become common post-2020, allowing coders to work from home, while hospital HIM departments or physician group settings continue to be viable. The hourly range for medical billing and coding specialists in South Charleston varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $9.79, reaching up to $18.70 for more experienced specialists at the P90 threshold, which speaks to the diverse earning potential within the profession.
About the South Charleston Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $9.79 | $78.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.09 | $88.73 |
| Median (P50) | $12.82 | $102.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $15.55 | $124.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $18.70 | $149.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Charleston
Based on $12.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $12.82/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Charleston, WV can expect to earn approximately $26,667 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $15,385. With a cost-of-living index of 86.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $512.83 | $2,222 | $26,667 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $307.70 | $1,333 | $16,000 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $205.13 | $889 | $10,667 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (South Charleston) | $12.82 |
| 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 South Charleston, WV earn a median of $26,669 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.13% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 4.20% below the West Virginia state average of $27,838.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $12.82/hr = $16,000/year (purchasing power: $18,497).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $26,667/year (purchasing power: $30,829).
CoL index: 86.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$11.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$12.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$12.82/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in South Charleston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $11.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $11.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $11.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $12.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $12.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in South Charleston grew 9.6% from $11.43/hr (2021) to $12.53/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.12/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 South Charleston 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 South Charleston
Considering a three-day workweek in this field translates to approximately 24 hours of work, a part-time medical billing and coding specialist could expect to take home about $19,685 annually. This path presents a contrast to full-time positions, where dedicated coders often find themselves earning much higher income levels. Per diem medical billing and coding specialists in South Charleston, working on a contract basis, can secure higher hourly rates ranging between $25 and $42, depending on their experience and certification levels. Additionally, those specializing in risk adjustment coding for Medicare Advantage may command rates of $40 to $65 per hour. The setting also affects pay, with hospital inpatient departments, insurance coding audits, and consulting engagements offering varying compensation structures. Some specialists may choose lower hourly rates from their employer in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, while others may seek higher pay without these perks. When negotiating contracts, it is often beneficial to highlight experience with the ICD-10-CM standards or emerging specialties like HCC coding, which are crucial in today’s healthcare landscape.
More salary data for South Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in South Charleston in 2026?
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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 South Charleston. 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 South Charleston 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