Medical Billing Salary

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.

$27,710
Median Annual Salary
$13.32/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$21,076
Entry Level (P10)
$42,951
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Wake Forest, NC — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Wake Forest, NC medical billing and coding specialist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileAnnualHourly
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

$21,076$42,951
City Median: $27,710
National: $30,349
P10–P90 Range

8.7% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wake Forest

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Wake Forest. The median salary is $27,710, compared to the national median of $30,349.$19.0K$25.5K$32.0K$38.6K$45.1K$21.1K10th Pctl$23.5K25th Pctl$27.7KMedian$35.5K75th Pctl$43.0K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

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.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical billing and coding specialist pay in the Wake Forest metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$533
per week
$2,309
per month
$27,710
per year

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 ToMedian SalaryWake Forest Pays
North Carolina Average$28,104-1.40% less
National Average$30,349-8.70% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in Wake Forest ($27,710) with North Carolina average ($28,104) and the US national median ($30,349).Wake Forest$27,710North Carolina Avg$28,104-1.40%US National$30,349-8.70%

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

$27,710
Nominal Salary
93.6
CoL Index
$29,605
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.

The nominal salary is $27,710. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 93.6, the purchasing-power equivalent is $29,605, a gain of $1,895.$23.6K$26.4K$29.2K$32.1K$34.9K$27,710NominalSalary$29,605CoL Adjusted(CoL: 93.6) 6.84%US Median $30.3K

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 (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Wake Forest. Baseline $24,710 in 2025, projected to $28,353 by 2027.$21.2K$27.4K$33.6K$39.8K$46.0K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$24.7K$25.0K$25.8K$42.5K$27.1K$27.7K$28.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$24,710Actual
2022$24,985Actual
2023$25,832Actual
2024$42,450Actual
2025$27,082Actual
2026(current)$27,710Estimated
2027$28,353Projected

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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Wake Forest, NC in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Wake Forest is $27,710/year ($13.32/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $21,076 at entry level (10th percentile) to $42,951 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Wake Forest at 8.7% below the national median. Full-time medical billing and coding specialists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Wake Forest, NC a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Wake Forest medical billing and coding specialist salaries are 8.7% below the national average and 1.4% below the North Carolina state average. The metro area employs approximately 9 medical billing and coding specialists. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Wake Forest?

The median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Wake Forest is $27,710, and the 90th percentile earns $42,951. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in Wake Forest?

After adjusting for Wake Forest's cost-of-living index of 93.6 (where 100 equals the national average), the $27,710 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $29,605 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 6.8% further in Wake Forest compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for medical billing and coding specialists seeking strong real wages.

How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in Wake Forest?

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Wake Forest earn a median hourly rate of $13.32, which translates to approximately $27,710/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $10.13 for entry-level positions to $20.65 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem medical billing and coding specialists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in North Carolina

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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