Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in La Crosse, WI: $18.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in La Crosse, WI runs $18.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,331 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against La Crosse's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,998 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Medical billing and coding specialists in La Crosse, Wisconsin, earn a median hourly rate of $18.43, which is significantly higher than the national hourly median of $14.59. This elevated pay reflects the region's demand for skilled professionals capable of navigating the complexities of medical codes such as ICD-10-CM and CPT. With a typical setup including remote home offices, hospital health information management departments, and third-party coding companies, these specialists can pursue part-time roles or per-diem work. Entry-level positions start at around $13.54 per hour, while top earners can reach up to $28.83, showcasing the potential for career advancement in this field. This information is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, emphasizing the viable economic opportunities within La Crosse for those in the medical billing and coding arena.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.54 | $108.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.84 | $118.69 |
| Median (P50) | $18.43 | $147.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.66 | $189.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.83 | $230.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Crosse
Based on $18.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.43/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Crosse, WI can expect to earn approximately $38,330 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,113. With a cost-of-living index of 91.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in La Crosse.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Crosse
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $737.11 | $3,194 | $38,330 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $442.27 | $1,916 | $22,998 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $294.85 | $1,278 | $15,332 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (La Crosse) | $18.43 |
| 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 La Crosse, WI earn a median of $38,331 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.30% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 9.40% above the Wisconsin state average of $35,038.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.43/hr = $22,998/year (purchasing power: $25,061).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,330/year (purchasing power: $41,768).
CoL index: 91.769 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$22.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.43/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-14.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in La Crosse (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in La Crosse grew -18.2% from $22.03/hr (2021) to $18.01/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.86/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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse
For those contemplating part-time employment as medical billing and coding specialists in La Crosse, working just three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could yield an annual income of around $22,862. This is a substantial amount for those seeking work-life balance compared to full-time positions. Per diem opportunities, often associated with 1099 work, can be quite lucrative. For example, per diem medical billing and coding specialists in La Crosse can command hourly rates between $25 and $42, while more specialized roles like CCS inpatient coders can bill $35 to $55 per hour. Furthermore, coding environments can greatly affect pay; those working in hospital inpatient departments may earn less than those in more lucrative consulting firms or remote third-party coding services. However, potential workers should weigh the importance of benefits that come with salaried positions against the higher pay without benefits of freelance or contract roles. Networking and negotiating specific rates with local employers can provide additional insight into maximizing total compensation.
More salary data for La Crosse, 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 La Crosse. 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