Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Ruston, LA: $24,710 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Ruston, LA earns a median $24,710/year (≈ $11.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Ruston's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $27,364 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the medical billing and coding specialist salary in Ruston, LA, is projected to reach a median annual pay of $24,710. This figure is notably below the national median of $30,349. Salaries for specialists in the area range from $19,032 at the 10th percentile to $37,073 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation landscape. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, reveal that while there are local opportunities, competitive compensation remains a challenge in Ruston. The emergence of remote work options has expanded the geographic market for these roles, influencing pay rates and job availability throughout the region.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19,032 | $9.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21,492 | $10.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $24,710 | $11.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30,605 | $14.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37,073 | $17.82 |
Median Salary Position
18.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ruston
In Ruston, LA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,041 (2026 est.). At $24,710, the local median is 18.58% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ruston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ruston Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Ruston median: $24,710/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ruston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $25,686 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -18.58% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Ruston, LA earn a median of $24,710 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.58% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $25,686.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ruston 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.
Ruston, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $24,710 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $27,364 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$22,034
2025 BLS Actual
$24,150
2026 Current Est.
$24,710
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Ruston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22,034 | Actual |
| 2022 | $22,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $23,036 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $24,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24,710 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25,284 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ruston metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $22,034 (2021) to $24,150 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $25,284 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,250 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ruston 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) | $19,032 – $21,492 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $21,492 – $24,710 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $24,710 – $30,605 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $30,605 – $37,073 |
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 Ruston
When considering the medical billing and coding specialist pay in Ruston, it's essential to evaluate the local job market dynamics, which currently employ only four specialists. The cost of living index stands at 90.3, highlighting a relatively affordable environment compared to the national average. Within Ruston, physician group practices and hospital coding departments typically offer the highest salaries, while work-from-home positions with third-party coding companies also present viable opportunities. The noticeable pay disparity can be attributed to specialization—labor in inpatient coding (CCS) or risk adjustment (CRC) commands higher wages compared to outpatient coding (CPC)—as well as the stacking of credentials and productivity bonuses. To maximize the earning potential in this market, aspiring professionals should focus on gaining certifications such as CPC, CCS, and CRC. Networking with local employers and staying updated on coding standards like ICD-10-CM can also enhance job prospects in this evolving field.
More salary data for Ruston, 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 $24,150 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Ruston 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 Ruston 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