Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Wake Forest, NC: $27,710 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Wake Forest, NC earns a median $27,710/year (≈ $13.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Wake Forest's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $29,605 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Wake Forest, North Carolina can expect to earn a median annual salary of $27,710, a figure notably lower than the national average of $30,349. Salaries in the area range from $21,076 at the 10th percentile to $42,951 at the 90th percentile, with many opportunities for professionals to enhance their earning potential through credential stacking. Starting with the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) designation can lead to more advanced certifications such as Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC), which provide valuable expertise and increase lifetime earnings. Local estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, reflect the competitive nature of the medical billing and coding job market in Wake Forest.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21,076 | $10.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,521 | $11.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $27,710 | $13.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35,469 | $17.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42,951 | $20.65 |
Median Salary Position
8.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, NC, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,875 (2026 est.). At $27,710, the local median is 8.7% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wake Forest Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Wake Forest median: $27,710/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $28,104 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -8.70% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $27,710 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.70% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $28,104.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wake Forest has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wake Forest, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $27,710 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $29,605 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$24,710
2025 BLS Actual
$27,082
2026 Current Est.
$27,710
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Wake Forest (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $24,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,985 | Actual |
| 2023 | $25,832 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $27,082 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27,710 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,353 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $24,710 (2021) to $27,082 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $28,353 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,643 (14.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest 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) | $21,076 – $23,521 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,521 – $27,710 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $27,710 – $35,469 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $35,469 – $42,951 |
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 Wake Forest
Looking at the local job market, there are currently nine medical billing and coding specialists employed in Wake Forest, underscoring both a niche demand and limited supply. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, living expenses are below the national average, impacting the purchasing power of these salaries. Employers that typically offer higher wages include hospital inpatient coding departments and physician group practice coding offices, particularly those focusing on audit and compliance, which often feature productivity bonuses. The disparity in pay is primarily driven by the complexity of coding within various settings—higher-paying positions often require certifications and a specialization in inpatient coding or risk adjustment scenarios. For those aiming to increase their earnings in this market, pursuing additional certifications and skill-specific training can position candidates more favorably for lucrative roles as remote work options remain prevalent in the industry.
More salary data for Wake Forest, 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 $27,082 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest 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