Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Los Alamos, NM: $15,315 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Los Alamos, NM earns a median $15,315/year (≈ $7.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Los Alamos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $16,224 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Los Alamos, New Mexico, the projected salary for medical billing and coding specialists in 2026 is $15,315, significantly lower than the national median of $30,349. This local figure reflects a salary range from $11,924 at the tenth percentile to $23,194 at the ninetieth percentile. Such estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the cost of living in the area, which is indexed at 94.4, indicating that residents might experience slightly lower expenses compared to the national average. Credential stacking is crucial to maximizing earning potential in this field; acquiring certifications like the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) can lead to higher wages and better job opportunities, particularly as the demand for specialized coding continues to rise.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11,924 | $5.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13,463 | $6.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $15,315 | $7.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19,102 | $9.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23,194 | $11.15 |
Median Salary Position
49.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Alamos
In Los Alamos, NM, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,270 (2026 est.). At $15,315, the local median is 49.54% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Alamos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Alamos Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Los Alamos median: $15,315/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Alamos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $16,611 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -49.54% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $15,315 per year (2026 est.), which is 49.54% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $16,611.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Alamos has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Alamos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $15,315 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $16,224 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.94% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$13,657
2025 BLS Actual
$14,968
2026 Current Est.
$15,315
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Los Alamos (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $13,657 | Actual |
| 2022 | $13,809 | Actual |
| 2023 | $14,277 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,023 | Actual |
| 2025 | $14,968 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $15,315 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $15,671 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Alamos metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $13,657 (2021) to $14,968 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $15,671 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,014 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Alamos 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) | $11,924 – $13,463 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $13,463 – $15,315 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $15,315 – $19,102 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $19,102 – $23,194 |
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 Los Alamos
The job market for medical billing and coding specialists in Los Alamos is relatively small, with only six professionals currently employed in the region. The local cost of living index of 94.4 suggests that, while salaries may appear modest, professionals can achieve decent purchasing power. Employers that tend to offer the highest salaries include hospital inpatient coding departments and physician group practice coding offices, where inpatient coding (like CCS certification) is particularly valued. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include the type of coding specialty—risk adjustment (CRC) versus outpatient coding (CPC)—as well as productivity bonuses that reward higher output. For those seeking to maximize their compensation, pursuing advanced credentials and specializing in high-demand areas, such as risk adjustment coding, may be the most effective strategies in the Los Alamos market.
More salary data for Los Alamos, 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 $14,968 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos 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