Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Raleigh, NC: $32,248 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Raleigh, NC earns a median $32,248/year (≈ $15.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $32,853 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Raleigh, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $32,248. This figure represents a competitive landscape, particularly when compared to the national median of $30,349, highlighting a +6.26% advantage for Raleigh. The salary spectrum for this profession ranges from $22,035 at the 10th percentile to $55,755 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variations in expertise and credentials among professionals. Those who opt for higher-level certifications—such as Certified Professional Coder (CPC) leading to Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)—can significantly enhance their lifetime earning potential. As Raleigh's healthcare job market continues to expand, opportunities abound for well-qualified individuals prepared to adapt to the evolving requirements of the sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,035 | $10.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26,759 | $12.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $32,248 | $15.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,536 | $20.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,755 | $26.81 |
Median Salary Position
6.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,720 (2026 est.). At $32,248, the local median is 6.26% above the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raleigh Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $32,248/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $28,115 | +14.70% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +6.26% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $32,248 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.26% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 14.70% above the North Carolina state average of $28,115.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $32,248 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $32,853 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,790
2025 BLS Actual
$31,517
2026 Current Est.
$32,248
2021–2027 Growth
+-17.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Raleigh (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $39,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $31,517 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32,248 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32,996 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -20.8% from $39,790 (2021) to $31,517 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $32,996 by 2027 — a total increase of $-6,794 (-17.07%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $22,035 – $26,759 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $26,759 – $32,248 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $32,248 – $43,536 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,536 – $55,755 |
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 Raleigh
The local job market has positioned approximately 900 medical billing and coding specialists in Raleigh, reinforcing the demand for skilled professionals in this area. With a cost-of-living index of 98.157, those entering this field will find their salaries can stretch further compared to the national average. Employers in the highest paying sectors include hospital inpatient coding departments and risk adjustment teams, where the complexity of work often dictates higher compensation. Factors driving the pay spectrum include the importance of specialty knowledge; for instance, inpatient coding and compliance audits can earn premiums. Moreover, professionals who stack credentials, pursue productivity bonuses, and understand remote work dynamics are best positioned to maximize their salary potential. In such a competitive market, continuous education through resources like AAPC and AHIMA can offer additional advantages in negotiating better pay in Raleigh, NC.
More salary data for Raleigh, 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 $31,517 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Raleigh 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