Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in North Carolina: $31,016 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median medical billing and coding specialist pay sits at $31,016/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $33,137 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Winston ($36,302), Greenville ($36,291), Chapel Hill ($33,506).
In North Carolina, the projected average median salary for medical billing and coding specialists in 2026 is $31,015, which is slightly higher than the national median of $30,349, marking a 2.2% increase. The highest salaries can be found in Winston at $37,144, while Hickory offers the lowest, at $23,679. This variance of $13,465 between the highest and lowest paying cities can be attributed to factors such as local demand for services, cost of living, and the presence of healthcare facilities in those areas. North Carolina has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact job opportunities and salary potential. The demand for medical billing and coding specialists is driven by the healthcare industry’s growth, as well as advancements in technology that require skilled professionals. The job market strength is reflected in the total employment of 5,914 specialists in the state and a projected annual growth rate of 2.32%. Top cities for this profession include Greenville at $37,133, Chapel Hill at $34,283, Durham at $33,999, and Raleigh at $32,248, indicating a healthy outlook for job seekers in the medical billing and coding field in North Carolina.
North Carolina Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $18,498 (lowest entry-level) to $64,930 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina medical billing and coding specialists earn 2.20% more than the national median (+$667/year difference).
North Carolina Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist salaries in North Carolina range from $22,458 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $48,139 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $31,016. The North Carolina median is $667 above the US national median of $30,349. The average hourly rate is $14.91/hr. Approximately 5,914 medical billing and coding specialists are employed across 45 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$42,323
2025 BLS Actual
$30,312
2026 Current Est.
$31,016
2021–2027 Growth
+-25.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in North Carolina (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $42,323 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,979 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,789 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,341 | Actual |
| 2025 | $30,312 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31,016 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31,735 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -28.4% from $42,323 (2021) to $30,312 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $31,735 by 2027 — a total increase of $-10,588 (-25.02%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hickory | $23,679 |
| Rocky Mount | $23,952 |
| Wilmington | $25,477 |
| Burlington | $25,650 |
| Leland | $26,100 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for medical billing and coding specialists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | $37,133 | 88.402 | $42,005 |
| Winston | $37,144 | 92.043 | $40,355 |
| Chapel Hill | $34,283 | 93.6 | $36,627 |
| Durham | $33,999 | 97.572 | $34,845 |
| Cary | $32,095 | 93.6 | $34,290 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $22,458 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $31,016 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $48,139 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winston | $37,144 |
| 2 | Greenville | $37,133 |
| 3 | Chapel Hill | $34,283 |
| 4 | Durham | $33,999 |
| 5 | Raleigh | $32,248 |
| 6 | Cary | $32,095 |
| 7 | Concord | $30,828 |
| 8 | Jacksonville | $30,818 |
| 9 | Fayetteville | $30,605 |
| 10 | Charlotte | $30,332 |
| 11 | Gastonia | $29,685 |
| 12 | Winston-Salem | $29,128 |
| 13 | Huntersville | $28,407 |
| 14 | Kannapolis | $28,363 |
| 15 | Apex | $28,296 |
| 16 | Pinehurst | $28,106 |
| 17 | Statesville | $27,873 |
| 18 | Kernersville | $27,848 |
| 19 | Matthews | $27,783 |
| 20 | Cornelius | $27,735 |
| 21 | Sanford | $27,711 |
| 22 | Wake Forest | $27,710 |
| 23 | Morrisville | $27,698 |
| 24 | Fuquay-Varina | $27,624 |
| 25 | Salisbury | $27,619 |
| 26 | Thomasville | $27,574 |
| 27 | New Bern | $27,563 |
| 28 | Mint Hill | $27,557 |
| 29 | Holly Springs | $27,120 |
| 30 | Mooresville | $27,035 |
| 31 | Monroe | $27,025 |
| 32 | Garner | $26,963 |
| 33 | Wilson | $26,944 |
| 34 | Boone | $26,827 |
| 35 | Greensboro | $26,812 |
| 36 | Indian Trail | $26,595 |
| 37 | Carrboro | $26,491 |
| 38 | Goldsboro | $26,409 |
| 39 | High Point | $26,399 |
| 40 | Asheville | $26,278 |
| 41 | Leland | $26,100 |
| 42 | Burlington | $25,650 |
| 43 | Wilmington | $25,477 |
| 44 | Rocky Mount | $23,952 |
| 45 | Hickory | $23,679 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical billing and coding specialists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical billing and coding specialists.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical billing and coding specialists in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina medical billing and coding specialist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in North Carolina?
How many medical billing and coding specialists are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for medical billing and coding specialists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical billing and coding specialist compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical billing and coding specialistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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