Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Hickory, NC: $23,679 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Hickory, NC earns a median $23,679/year (≈ $11.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Hickory's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $26,760 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.8% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Hickory, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $23,679, significantly below the national median of $30,349. The salary spectrum in this region spans from $18,498 at the 10th percentile to $35,156 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a notable disparity within the local sector. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, suggests that the local market remains competitive yet restrained, especially when compared to national figures. The varying compensation can also be attributed to the degree of specialization, with those in inpatient coding (CCS) typically earning more than their colleagues focusing on outpatient coding (CPC) or risk adjustment coding (CRC).
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18,498 | $8.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21,774 | $10.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $23,679 | $11.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29,014 | $13.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35,156 | $16.90 |
Median Salary Position
21.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hickory
In Hickory, NC, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,658 (2026 est.). At $23,679, the local median is 21.98% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hickory: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hickory Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Hickory median: $23,679/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hickory Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $28,122 | -15.80% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -21.98% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Hickory, NC earn a median of $23,679 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.98% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 15.80% below the North Carolina state average of $28,122.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hickory has a cost of living 11.51% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hickory, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.486 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $23,679 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $26,760 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.01% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,750
2025 BLS Actual
$23,142
2026 Current Est.
$23,679
2021–2027 Growth
+-34.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Hickory (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $23,142 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23,679 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24,228 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hickory metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -37.0% from $36,750 (2021) to $23,142 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $24,228 by 2027 — a total increase of $-12,522 (-34.07%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hickory 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) | $18,498 – $21,774 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $21,774 – $23,679 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $23,679 – $29,014 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $29,014 – $35,156 |
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 Hickory
Hickory's job market for medical billing and coding specialists is underscored by approximately 150 professionals currently employed in the area. With a cost of living index at 88.486, living expenses in Hickory are lower than the national average, which helps stretch the take-home pay a bit further for coders. Among local employers, physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments generally offer higher salaries, while third-party coding companies might provide flexible remote roles. The compensation disparities can be influenced by factors such as specialty certifications, including CPC, CCS, and CRC, as well as potential bonuses based on productivity metrics. To maximize earning potential in this specific market, investing in multiple certifications and upping skills in high-demand areas like risk adjustment coding can be strategic. Staying current with coding updates and trends will not only improve job performance but may also open doors to better compensation packages.
More salary data for Hickory, NC:
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 $23,142 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Hickory 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