Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in South Carolina: $34,150 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median medical billing and coding specialist pay sits at $34,150/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $37,322 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: North Charleston ($36,697), Columbia ($36,337), Charleston ($35,931).
In South Carolina, medical billing and coding specialists earn an average median salary of $34,150 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $30,349 by 12.5%. The highest salaries are found in North Charleston, where specialists can expect to earn $37,548, while Conway sits at the lower end with salaries of $28,182. This salary gap of $9,366 can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and local job market conditions. In South Carolina, there are no specific state licensing requirements for billing and coding specialists, although certification may enhance job prospects. The demand for skilled professionals in this field is driven by the growing healthcare industry and the ongoing need for accurate coding and billing practices to meet regulatory requirements. With a total of 2,289 employed in this occupation and a projected annual growth rate of 2.32%, the job market for medical billing and coding specialists in the state appears stable. Other cities with favorable salary projections include Columbia at $37,180, Charleston at $36,765, Hilton Head Island at $36,510, and Bluffton at $35,816, indicating that opportunities for advancement and competitive compensation exist across various regions in South Carolina.
South Carolina Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $19,887 (lowest entry-level) to $58,200 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina medical billing and coding specialists earn 12.52% more than the national median (+$3,801/year difference).
South Carolina Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist salaries in South Carolina range from $22,538 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $41,654 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $34,150. The South Carolina median is $3,801 above the US national median of $30,349. The average hourly rate is $16.42/hr. Approximately 2,289 medical billing and coding specialists are employed across 26 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$42,693
2025 BLS Actual
$33,376
2026 Current Est.
$34,150
2021–2027 Growth
+-18.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in South Carolina (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $42,693 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,352 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,055 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,812 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,376 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,150 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34,943 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -21.8% from $42,693 (2021) to $33,376 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $34,943 by 2027 — a total increase of $-7,750 (-18.15%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South 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 South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Conway | $28,182 |
| Myrtle Beach | $28,711 |
| Clemson | $28,985 |
| Tega Cay | $29,040 |
| Easley | $29,201 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for medical billing and coding specialists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Charleston | $37,548 | 91.5 | $41,036 |
| Columbia | $37,180 | 93.662 | $39,696 |
| Bluffton | $35,816 | 91.5 | $39,143 |
| Hilton Head Island | $36,510 | 98.017 | $37,249 |
| Charleston | $36,765 | 100.962 | $36,415 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $22,538 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $34,150 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $41,654 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Charleston | $37,548 |
| 2 | Columbia | $37,180 |
| 3 | Charleston | $36,765 |
| 4 | Hilton Head Island | $36,510 |
| 5 | Bluffton | $35,816 |
| 6 | Greer | $32,236 |
| 7 | Anderson | $32,203 |
| 8 | Mount Pleasant | $31,938 |
| 9 | Greenville | $31,477 |
| 10 | Rock Hill | $31,350 |
| 11 | Aiken | $31,213 |
| 12 | Hanahan | $31,169 |
| 13 | Mauldin | $30,986 |
| 14 | Summerville | $30,819 |
| 15 | Florence | $30,783 |
| 16 | Spartanburg | $30,421 |
| 17 | Simpsonville | $30,311 |
| 18 | Fort Mill | $30,297 |
| 19 | Goose Creek | $30,226 |
| 20 | Sumter | $29,977 |
| 21 | Lexington | $29,731 |
| 22 | Easley | $29,201 |
| 23 | Tega Cay | $29,040 |
| 24 | Clemson | $28,985 |
| 25 | Myrtle Beach | $28,711 |
| 26 | Conway | $28,182 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in South 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.
Explore More Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical billing and coding specialists in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina medical billing and coding specialist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in South Carolina?
How many medical billing and coding specialists are employed in South Carolina?
Which South 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 South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 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