Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Baton Rouge, LA: $27,661 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Baton Rouge, LA earns a median $27,661/year (≈ $13.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Baton Rouge's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $30,470 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the projected median salary for a medical billing and coding specialist sits at $27,661 for 2026, reflecting a notable difference from the national median of $30,349. The salary range indicates the diversity of earning potential in the field, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $20,919, while experienced professionals can earn up to $50,925. Such figures, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflect local market trends and the increasing demand for skilled coders. As credential stacking becomes more prevalent, those pursuing certifications like the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) find substantial impacts on lifetime earnings. The evolving landscape of coding demands continual learning and specialization, offering physicians in Baton Rouge a steadier pipeline of educated candidates.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20,919 | $10.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,388 | $11.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $27,661 | $13.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38,569 | $18.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,925 | $24.49 |
Median Salary Position
8.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baton Rouge
In Baton Rouge, LA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,006 (2026 est.). At $27,661, the local median is 8.86% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baton Rouge: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Baton Rouge Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Baton Rouge median: $27,661/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baton Rouge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $25,707 | +7.60% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | -8.86% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $27,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.86% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 7.60% above the Louisiana state average of $25,707.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baton Rouge has a cost of living 9.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baton Rouge, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.78 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $27,661 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $30,470 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.16% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,850
2025 BLS Actual
$27,034
2026 Current Est.
$27,661
2021–2027 Growth
+-25.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Baton Rouge (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $27,034 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27,661 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,303 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -28.6% from $37,850 (2021) to $27,034 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $28,303 by 2027 — a total increase of $-9,547 (-25.22%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baton Rouge 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $20,919 – $23,388 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,388 – $27,661 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $27,661 – $38,569 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $38,569 – $50,925 |
MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in Baton Rouge
Employment opportunities for medical billing and coding specialists in Baton Rouge are robust, with around 600 individuals currently engaged in this field. The cost of living index in this area is 90.78, suggesting that while salaries are below the national average, the actual purchasing power could remain competitive. Notable employers that tend to offer higher salaries include physician group practices, hospital inpatient coding departments, and consulting firms, indicating a range of options for job seekers. Variability in pay often hinges on specialty areas; for instance, inpatient CCS positions typically command higher wages compared to outpatient CPC roles. Strategies such as pursuing advanced credentials and gaining proficiency in high-demand coding practices, like risk adjustment or compliance auditing, could significantly bolster salary potential in this evolving market. With over 80% of medical coding now remote, flexibility in work arrangements further enhances the appeal of this career path in Baton Rouge.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $27,034 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Baton Rouge metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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