Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Rio Rancho, NM: $17,103 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Rio Rancho, NM earns a median $17,103/year (≈ $8.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Rio Rancho's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $18,118 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rio Rancho, NM, medical billing and coding specialists can expect a projected median annual salary of $17,103 in 2026, indicating a significant regional gap compared to the national median of $30,349. Salaries in this field show considerable variability, with a range that spans from $11,965 at the 10th percentile to $26,509 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reflecting the realities of the job market in Rio Rancho where remote work opportunities have broadened the geographic pool for employment. As a result, professionals must be attuned to the local market dynamics and benefit from remote coding roles that may offer broader compensation options.
About the Rio Rancho Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11,965 | $5.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14,200 | $6.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $17,103 | $8.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21,891 | $10.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26,509 | $12.75 |
Median Salary Position
43.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rio Rancho
In Rio Rancho, NM, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,544 (2026 est.). At $17,103, the local median is 43.65% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rio Rancho: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rio Rancho Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Rio Rancho median: $17,103/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rio Rancho Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $16,621 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | -43.65% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Rio Rancho, NM earn a median of $17,103 per year (2026 est.), which is 43.65% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 2.90% above the New Mexico state average of $16,621.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rio Rancho 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.
Rio Rancho, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $17,103 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $18,118 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$15,251
2025 BLS Actual
$16,715
2026 Current Est.
$17,103
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Rio Rancho (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15,251 | Actual |
| 2022 | $15,421 | Actual |
| 2023 | $15,944 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,695 | Actual |
| 2025 | $16,715 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17,103 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17,500 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rio Rancho metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $15,251 (2021) to $16,715 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $17,500 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,249 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rio Rancho 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) | $11,965 – $14,200 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $14,200 – $17,103 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $17,103 – $21,891 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $21,891 – $26,509 |
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 Rio Rancho
Currently, there are 16 medical billing and coding specialists employed in Rio Rancho, highlighting a relatively small but focused workforce in this industry. The cost of living in the area, indexed at 94.4, suggests that while take-home pay may not be as high as in some larger markets, local living expenses are also more manageable. Employers such as physician group practices, hospital coding departments, and third-party coding companies are among those that might offer higher salaries and competitive benefits. The variation in compensation can be attributed to factors such as the complexity of coding specialties—like inpatient CCS coding versus outpatient CPC roles—and any additional credentials held, such as CPC or CRC. Aspiring professionals should consider acquiring multiple certifications and focusing on in-demand areas, particularly risk adjustment coding, to maximize earning potential in the local market.
More salary data for Rio Rancho, 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 $16,715 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Rio Rancho 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 Rio Rancho 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