Medical Billing Salary

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Appleton, WI: $18.12 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Appleton, WI runs $18.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,691 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Appleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.4, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,615 per year.

$37,691
Median Annual Salary
$18.12/hr
Hourly Rate
$27,608
Entry Level (P10)
$41,073
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Rate in Appleton, WI — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Appleton, WI medical billing and coding specialist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Working as a medical billing and coding specialist in Appleton, Wisconsin, offers a competitive hourly median pay of $18.12, which is notably higher than the national average of $14.59. This attractive rate supports various work arrangements, including part-time and per-diem positions often found in remote home offices, hospital health information management (HIM) departments, and physician group coding settings. The hourly wage ranges from $13.27 at entry-level roles to $19.75 for seasoned professionals, making the field accessible for new entrants while offering lucrative opportunities for more experienced coders. As the demand for skilled medical coding professionals continues to rise, the hourly pay remains attractive within the context of Appleton's cost of living index, which is below the national average.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$13.27$106.17
Lower Range (P25)$14.00$111.98
Median (P50)$18.12$144.97
Upper Range (P75)$18.70$149.63
Top Earners (P90)$19.75$157.98

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Appleton

Based on $18.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a medical billing and coding specialist in Appleton earning $18.12/hr would make approximately $21,745 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $37,691 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$21,745Reduced (32 hr/wk)$28,993Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$37,691

At $18.12/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Appleton, WI can expect to earn approximately $37,691 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,745. With a cost-of-living index of 92.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Appleton.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$144.97
per 8hr shift
$724.83
per week
$3,141
per month
$37,691
per year

Schedule Comparison in Appleton

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$724.83$3,141$37,691
Part-Time (24 hrs)$434.90$1,885$22,615
Per Diem (16 hrs)$289.93$1,256$15,077

Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Appleton)$18.12
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in Appleton ($37,691) with Wisconsin average ($35,028) and the US national median ($30,349).Appleton$37,691Wisconsin Avg$35,028+7.60%US National$30,349+24.19%

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Appleton, WI earn a median of $37,691 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.19% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 7.60% above the Wisconsin state average of $35,028.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $18.12/hr = $22,615/year (purchasing power: $24,470).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,691/year (purchasing power: $40,783).

CoL index: 92.419 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2021 BLS Actual

$23.03/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$17.71/hr

2026 Current Est.

$18.12/hr

2021–2027 Growth

+-19.5%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Appleton (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Appleton. Baseline $23.03/hr in 2025, projected to $18.54/hr by 2027.$16$19$23$27$3120212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$23.03$24.03$28.68$26.97$17.71$18.12$18.54
YearHourly RateStatus
2021$23.03/hrActual
2022$24.03/hrActual
2023$28.68/hrActual
2024$26.97/hrActual
2025$17.71/hrActual
2026(current)$18.12/hrEstimated
2027$18.54/hrProjected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Appleton grew -23.1% from $23.03/hr (2021) to $17.71/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.54/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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Appleton

For part-time medical billing and coding specialists working three days a week, the annual earnings can be quite substantial, translating to an effective income while still enjoying flexible scheduling. These specialists typically log an average of 24 hours per week, resulting in a take-home compensation that supports a balanced lifestyle. Per-diem roles further amplify earning potential, with rates often ranging from $25 to $42, depending on the specific coding expertise required, such as risk adjustment coding for Medicare Advantage, which commands even higher hourly pay. Within Appleton, the hourly rates can fluctuate based on employer type, with prominent variations among physician group practices, hospitals, and third-party coding companies. Some professionals opt for positions that offer health insurance benefits, even at lower hourly rates, valuing job security and access to healthcare. When negotiating, specialized knowledge in ICD-10-CM and CPT, along with continual learning through AAPC and AHIMA certification updates, can strengthen one’s position in discussions with employers about pay rates and additional benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Appleton in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Appleton is $18.12/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Rates range from $13.27 at entry level (10th percentile) to $19.75 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 24.2% above the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Appleton?

A part-time medical billing and coding specialist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Appleton earns approximately $1,885/month, or $22,615/year at the median hourly rate of $18.12. Many medical billing and coding specialists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are medical billing and coding specialists in Appleton paid hourly or salary?

The majority of medical billing and coding specialists in Appleton are paid hourly at a median rate of $18.12/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $37,691/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Appleton?

A full-time medical billing and coding specialist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Appleton earns approximately $37,691/year at the median hourly rate of $18.12. This is 24.2% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $41,075/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Appleton?

Part-time and per diem medical billing and coding specialists in Appleton sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $19.75/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Wisconsin

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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 Appleton. 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

Last verified: