Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Lafayette, LA: $22,219 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Lafayette, LA earns a median $22,219/year (≈ $10.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $25,478 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.5% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the projected median annual salary for a medical billing and coding specialist stands at $22,219 for 2026, revealing a significant disparity when compared to the national median of $30,349. The local salary range varies widely, with entry-level positions earning around $17,572 (P10) and more experienced professionals reaching up to $36,485 (P90). Analyzing pay differentials, those specializing in inpatient coding (CCS) generally earn more than those working in outpatient environments (CPC) and risk adjustment coding (CRC). This trend reflects the increasing demand for skilled coders who can navigate complex coding systems such as ICD-10-CM and the need for ongoing professional development, especially in specialties related to Medicare Advantage and health risk adjustment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17,572 | $8.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19,804 | $9.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $22,219 | $10.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27,015 | $12.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36,485 | $17.54 |
Median Salary Position
26.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,913 (2026 est.). At $22,219, the local median is 26.79% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lafayette Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $22,219/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $25,686 | -13.50% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -26.79% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $22,219 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.79% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 13.50% below the Louisiana state average of $25,686.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 87.209 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $22,219 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $25,478 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.67% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$29,430
2025 BLS Actual
$21,715
2026 Current Est.
$22,219
2021–2027 Growth
+-22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Lafayette (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $21,715 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22,219 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22,734 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -26.2% from $29,430 (2021) to $21,715 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $22,734 by 2027 — a total increase of $-6,696 (-22.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $17,572 – $19,804 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $19,804 – $22,219 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $22,219 – $27,015 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $27,015 – $36,485 |
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 Lafayette
Looking at the job market in Lafayette, approximately 130 medical billing and coding specialists are currently employed, revealing a steady demand. However, the cost of living index at 87.209 suggests that while wages may be lower than the national median, purchasing power can still be reasonable. Among the various employers, hospital inpatient coding departments tend to offer the highest salaries, followed closely by physician group practice coding offices. The pay discrepancy largely hinges on coding specialties, credential stacking, and productivity bonuses. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, obtaining multiple certifications from relevant bodies like AAPC and AHIMA and pursuing roles in remote coding can provide significant financial advantages. As the shift towards remote work continues, specialists who develop expertise in high-demand areas such as risk adjustment coding may find even greater opportunities in Lafayette.
More salary data for Lafayette, 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 $21,715 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Lafayette 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