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.
Official BLS data · View source

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
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 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.
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.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Appleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Role | Median 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 |
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 (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $23.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.54/hr | Projected |
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 (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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 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.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
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 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