Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Louisiana: $26,894 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median medical billing and coding specialist pay sits at $26,894/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $29,783 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Shreveport ($28,060), Hammond ($27,875), Bossier City ($27,614).
Salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Louisiana are projected to average $26,894 in 2026, which is 11.4% lower than the national median of $30,349. Among the state's 20 metro areas, Shreveport offers the highest salary at $28,711, while Lafayette has the lowest at $22,219, reflecting a significant gap of $6,492. This disparity is influenced by factors such as local demand for healthcare services, the concentration of healthcare facilities, and variations in living costs across different cities. Louisiana has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can affect job responsibilities and salary levels. The healthcare sector's growth, driven by an aging population and increased emphasis on accurate medical billing, contributes to a projected annual growth rate of 2.32% for this profession. Overall, there are currently 2,364 employed specialists in Louisiana, indicating a steady job market for those entering the field. The higher salaries in cities like Hammond ($28,522) and Bossier City ($28,255) compared to New Orleans ($27,850) and Metairie ($27,952) also reflect regional variations in the demand for skilled professionals in the healthcare community.
Louisiana Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $17,490 (lowest entry-level) to $50,925 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana medical billing and coding specialists earn 11.38% less than the national median ($-3,455/year difference).
Louisiana Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist salaries in Louisiana range from $20,386 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $44,593 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $26,894. The Louisiana median is $3,455 below the US national median of $30,349. The average hourly rate is $12.93/hr. Approximately 2,364 medical billing and coding specialists are employed across 20 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$41,743
2025 BLS Actual
$26,284
2026 Current Est.
$26,894
2021–2027 Growth
+-34.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Louisiana (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $41,743 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,872 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,269 | Actual |
| 2025 | $26,284 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26,894 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27,518 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -37.0% from $41,743 (2021) to $26,284 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $27,518 by 2027 — a total increase of $-14,225 (-34.08%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Lafayette | $22,219 |
| Alexandria | $22,337 |
| Monroe | $23,352 |
| Thibodaux | $23,444 |
| Sulphur | $23,762 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for medical billing and coding specialists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shreveport | $28,711 | 84.766 | $33,871 |
| Hammond | $28,522 | 84.46 | $33,770 |
| Bossier City | $28,255 | 90.3 | $31,290 |
| Metairie | $27,952 | 90.3 | $30,955 |
| Baton Rouge | $27,661 | 90.78 | $30,470 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $20,386 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $26,894 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $44,593 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shreveport | $28,711 |
| 2 | Hammond | $28,522 |
| 3 | Bossier City | $28,255 |
| 4 | Metairie | $27,952 |
| 5 | New Orleans | $27,850 |
| 6 | Baton Rouge | $27,661 |
| 7 | Slidell | $25,697 |
| 8 | Lake Charles | $25,363 |
| 9 | Kenner | $25,176 |
| 10 | Ruston | $24,710 |
| 11 | Central | $24,686 |
| 12 | New Iberia | $24,343 |
| 13 | Natchitoches | $24,012 |
| 14 | Houma | $23,946 |
| 15 | Zachary | $23,899 |
| 16 | Sulphur | $23,762 |
| 17 | Thibodaux | $23,444 |
| 18 | Monroe | $23,352 |
| 19 | Alexandria | $22,337 |
| 20 | Lafayette | $22,219 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in Louisiana cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical billing and coding specialists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical billing and coding specialists.
Explore More Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical billing and coding specialists in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana medical billing and coding specialist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in Louisiana?
How many medical billing and coding specialists are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana city offers the best value for medical billing and coding specialists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical billing and coding specialist compensation across Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical billing and coding specialistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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