Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Baltimore, MD: $35,245 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Baltimore, MD earns a median $35,245/year (≈ $16.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Baltimore's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.5), that paycheck buys what $33,731 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 83.2% above the Maryland state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Baltimore, MD, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $35,245, a figure that exceeds the national median of $30,349 by 16.13%. The salary range in the city varies widely, with the lowest earners making around $21,008 and the highest earning up to $51,654. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, and highlights how the remote work standard has broadened the geographic pay context for various healthcare roles. As the healthcare industry continues to adapt, the demand for skilled medical billing and coding professionals remains strong, indicating a vibrant job market in Baltimore.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21,008 | $10.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27,364 | $13.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,245 | $16.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,418 | $18.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,654 | $24.83 |
Median Salary Position
16.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baltimore
In Baltimore, MD, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,646 (2026 est.). At $35,245, the local median is 16.13% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baltimore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Baltimore Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Baltimore median: $35,245/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baltimore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $19,239 | +83.20% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +16.13% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Baltimore, MD earn a median of $35,245 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.13% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 83.20% above the Maryland state average of $19,239.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baltimore has a cost of living 4.49% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baltimore, MD has a cost-of-living index of 104.487 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $35,245 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $33,731 — a 4.3% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$47,950
2025 BLS Actual
$34,446
2026 Current Est.
$35,245
2021–2027 Growth
+-24.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Baltimore (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,446 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,245 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,063 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baltimore metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -28.2% from $47,950 (2021) to $34,446 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,063 by 2027 — a total increase of $-11,887 (-24.79%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baltimore 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) | $21,008 – $27,364 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $27,364 – $35,245 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,245 – $39,418 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,418 – $51,654 |
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 Baltimore
With approximately 1,360 medical billing and coding specialists currently employed in Baltimore, the local job market reflects a healthy demand for professionals in this field. However, the cost-of-living index of 104.487 suggests that while salaries are competitive, expenses may impact buyers' purchasing power. Employers that tend to offer the most attractive compensation packages include physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments, while remote positions with third-party coding companies also present lucrative opportunities. Factors contributing to the variation in pay include the coding specialty, such as inpatient CCS being more valued than outpatient CPC, as well as credential stacking that involves multiple certifications like CPC, CCS, and CRC. Strategies to enhance earning potential include pursuing continuous education to stay updated on coding guidelines and seeking roles with productivity bonuses linked to chart coding rates, which can significantly influence overall income in the Baltimore market.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
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 $34,446 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Baltimore 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