Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Lake Charles, LA: $25,363 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Lake Charles, LA earns a median $25,363/year (≈ $12.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Lake Charles's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $28,087 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation for a medical billing and coding specialist salary in Lake Charles is projected to be $25,363, which falls significantly below the national median of $30,349. The salary range is quite broad, with entry-level positions earning around $19,335 while more experienced professionals can make as much as $39,312. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors. The recent shift toward remote work has broadened the competitive landscape for such roles, giving local specialists access to opportunities beyond the immediate Lake Charles area, thereby impacting the local job market.
About the Lake Charles Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19,335 | $9.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22,119 | $10.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $25,363 | $12.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32,465 | $15.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39,312 | $18.90 |
Median Salary Position
16.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake Charles
In Lake Charles, LA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,977 (2026 est.). At $25,363, the local median is 16.43% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake Charles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake Charles Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Lake Charles median: $25,363/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake Charles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $25,697 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -16.43% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Lake Charles, LA earn a median of $25,363 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.43% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.30% below the Louisiana state average of $25,697.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake Charles has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lake Charles, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $25,363 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $28,087 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$36,750
2025 BLS Actual
$24,788
2026 Current Est.
$25,363
2021–2027 Growth
+-29.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Lake Charles (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $23,644 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,434 | Actual |
| 2025 | $24,788 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25,363 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25,952 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake Charles metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -32.5% from $36,750 (2021) to $24,788 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $25,952 by 2027 — a total increase of $-10,798 (-29.38%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Charles 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) | $19,335 – $22,119 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $22,119 – $25,363 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $25,363 – $32,465 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $32,465 – $39,312 |
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 Lake Charles
With 15 medical billing and coding specialists currently employed in Lake Charles, the market presents both challenges and opportunities. The cost of living index in the area stands at 90.3, which indicates that lower living expenses could afford professionals somewhat better purchasing power despite the relatively lower pay compared to national standards. Employers with the highest pay scales include physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments, with remote coding positions from third-party companies also offering considerable earnings. The disparity in compensation often hinges on factors such as specialty certifications (like CCS and CPC), experience, productivity bonuses, and the structure of work arrangements. To maximize pay, specialists in Lake Charles should consider pursuing advanced credentials, focusing on high-demand areas like risk adjustment coding, and weighing opportunities that offer flexible work arrangements, which are becoming increasingly prevalent in the evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Lake Charles, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Lake Charles, LA in 2026?
Is Lake Charles, LA a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?
Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Lake Charles?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in Lake Charles?
How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in Lake Charles?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 $24,788 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Lake Charles 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
Salary data for Lake Charles is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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