Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Las Cruces, NM: $26,207 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Las Cruces, NM earns a median $26,207/year (≈ $12.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Las Cruces's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $29,050 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 57.7% above the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Las Cruces, New Mexico, medical billing and coding specialists can expect a median annual salary of $26,207 in 2026, reflecting a market where compensation lags behind the national figure of $30,349 by 13.65%. The salary range spans from $19,590 at the lower 10th percentile to $42,568 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variation based on experience and specialization. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys inform these projections, suggesting that those who pursue roles in inpatient coding (CCS) may command higher salaries compared to their outpatient coding (CPC) counterparts, especially as risk adjustment coding continues to gain relevance in the healthcare landscape. The local job market features around 110 professionals currently employed in this field, showcasing a steady demand for skills in ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19,590 | $9.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22,231 | $10.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $26,207 | $12.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34,213 | $16.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42,568 | $20.46 |
Median Salary Position
13.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Las Cruces
In Las Cruces, NM, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,978 (2026 est.). At $26,207, the local median is 13.65% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Las Cruces: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Las Cruces Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Las Cruces median: $26,207/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Las Cruces Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $16,618 | +57.70% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | -13.65% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Las Cruces, NM earn a median of $26,207 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.65% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 57.70% above the New Mexico state average of $16,618.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Las Cruces has a cost of living 9.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Las Cruces, NM has a cost-of-living index of 90.212 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $26,207 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $29,050 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.85% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$34,940
2025 BLS Actual
$25,613
2026 Current Est.
$26,207
2021–2027 Growth
+-23.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Las Cruces (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $34,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $25,613 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26,207 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26,815 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Las Cruces metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -26.7% from $34,940 (2021) to $25,613 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $26,815 by 2027 — a total increase of $-8,125 (-23.25%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Las Cruces 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) | $19,590 – $22,231 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $22,231 – $26,207 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $26,207 – $34,213 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $34,213 – $42,568 |
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 Las Cruces
In analyzing the medical billing and coding specialist pay in Las Cruces, NM, various factors influence local compensation. With a cost of living index of 90.212, professionals may find that their take-home pay affords a comfortable lifestyle compared to national averages. Among the highest-paying employers in the area, physician group practices, hospital inpatient coding departments, and specialized payer audit teams often offer competitive salaries, enhancing the potential for skilled coders. The overall salary range is influenced by specialty areas, credential stacking (CPC, CCS, and CRC), and productivity bonuses linked to coding volume. To maximize earnings, aspiring specialists should focus on acquiring multiple certifications to enhance their marketability, consider roles that allow remote work, and stay updated on industry developments that can impact coding practices and guidelines.
More salary data for Las Cruces, NM:
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 $25,613 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Las Cruces 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