Medical Billing Salary

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Zachary, LA: $23,899 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Zachary, LA earns a median $23,899/year (β‰ˆ $11.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 β€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Zachary's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $26,466 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Louisiana state average.

$23,899
Median Annual Salary
$11.49/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$19,047
Entry Level (P10)
$36,534
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates Β· View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Zachary, LA β€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Zachary, LA medical billing and coding specialist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a medical billing and coding specialist in Zachary, Louisiana, stands at $23,899. This figure, which falls significantly below the national median of $30,349, reflects the impact of local market dynamics where salaries range from $19,047 at the lower tenth percentile to $36,534 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and take into account regional cost adjustments. The shift towards remote work has broadened the competitive salary landscape, making geographic boundaries less restrictive in the job market, yet Zachary's figures still indicate a modest earning potential that can influence aspiring coders’ decisions on career advancement or credential acquisition.

About the Zachary Market

Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$19,047$9.16
Lower Range (P25)$21,271$10.22
Median (P50)(typical)$23,899$11.49
Upper Range (P75)$28,683$13.79
Top Earners (P90)$36,534$17.57

Median Salary Position

$19,047$36,534
City Median: $23,899
National: $30,349
P10–P90 Range

21.25% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Zachary

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Zachary. The median salary is $23,899, compared to the national median of $30,349.$17.1K$22.4K$27.8K$33.1K$38.4K$19.0K10th Pctl$21.3K25th Pctl$23.9KMedian$28.7K75th Pctl$36.5K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

In Zachary, LA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,487 (2026 est.). At $23,899, the local median is 21.25% below the national median of $30,349.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical billing and coding specialist pay in the Zachary metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$460
per week
$1,992
per month
$23,900
per year

At 40 hours/week in Zachary: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Zachary Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares

Zachary median: $23,899/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryZachary Pays
Louisiana Average$25,698-7.00% less
National Average$30,349-21.25% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in Zachary ($23,899) with Louisiana average ($25,698) and the US national median ($30,349).Zachary$23,899Louisiana Avg$25,698-7.00%US National$30,349-21.25%

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Zachary, LA earn a median of $23,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.25% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 7.00% below the Louisiana state average of $25,698.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$23,899
Nominal Salary
90.3
CoL Index
$26,466
Adjusted Salary

Zachary has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal Γ— (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $23,899. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 90.3, the purchasing-power equivalent is $26,466, a gain of $2,567.$20.3K$24.0K$27.6K$31.3K$34.9K$23,899NominalSalary$26,466CoL Adjusted(CoL: 90.3)β–² 10.74%US Median $30.3K

Zachary, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $23,899 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $26,466 in an average-cost city β€” an effective 10.74% boost.

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2021 BLS Actual

$21,311

2025 BLS Actual

$23,357

2026 Current Est.

$23,899

2021–2027 Growth

+14.7%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Zachary (2021–2027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Zachary. Baseline $21,311 in 2025, projected to $24,453 by 2027.$18.5K$23.4K$28.3K$33.2K$38.1K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$21.3K$21.5K$22.3K$35.3K$23.4K$23.9K$24.5K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$21,311Actual
2022$21,548Actual
2023$22,279Actual
2024$35,273Actual
2025$23,357Actual
2026(current)$23,899Estimated
2027$24,453Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Zachary metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $21,311 (2021) to $23,357 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $24,453 by 2027 β€” a total increase of $3,142 (14.74%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Zachary 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$19,047 – $21,271
3-5 years (Mid Career)$21,271 – $23,899
5+ years (Experienced)$23,899 – $28,683
10+ years (Top Earner)$28,683 – $36,534

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 Zachary

The local job market for medical billing and coding specialists in Zachary consists of only six employed professionals, which suggests limited competition, but this scenario also drives salaries closer to the lower end of the spectrum. With a cost-of-living index at 90.3, the purchasing power in Zachary is somewhat favorable, though still below the national average. Among employers in the area, physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments typically offer the most competitive pay. The variance in compensation is strongly influenced by several factors, including the type of coding specialties, such as inpatient coding (CCS) being more valued than outpatient coding (CPC), as well as the benefits of credential stacking. Those seeking to enhance their earnings can focus on gaining complementary credentials and pursuing roles that involve audits or compliance, as these positions generally yield higher salaries, particularly in a landscape where talent is increasingly recognized for its value in remote environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Zachary, LA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Zachary is $23,899/year ($11.49/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $19,047 at entry level (10th percentile) to $36,534 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Zachary at 21.3% below the national median. Full-time medical billing and coding specialists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Zachary, LA a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Zachary medical billing and coding specialist salaries are 21.3% below the national average and 7.0% below the Louisiana state average. The metro area employs approximately 6 medical billing and coding specialists. With a cost-of-living index of 90.3, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Zachary?

The median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Zachary is $23,899, and the 90th percentile earns $36,534. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in Zachary?

After adjusting for Zachary's cost-of-living index of 90.3 (where 100 equals the national average), the $23,899 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $26,466 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 10.7% further in Zachary compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for medical billing and coding specialists seeking strong real wages.

How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in Zachary?

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Zachary earn a median hourly rate of $11.49, which translates to approximately $23,899/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $9.16 for entry-level positions to $17.57 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem medical billing and coding specialists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Louisiana

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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 $23,357 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Zachary 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 Zachary is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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. Β· View source data at BLS.gov

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