Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Charleston, SC: $36,765 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Charleston, SC earns a median $36,765/year (≈ $17.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.0), that paycheck buys what $36,415 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.8% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Charleston, South Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $36,765, significantly higher than the national median of $30,349. Salary ranges in the area fall between $22,694 at the lower end and $41,156 for the top earners, indicating a robust job market that rewards specialization and advanced credentials. The increased demand for skilled professionals, particularly in inpatient coding (CCS) compared to outpatient coding (CPC) and risk adjustment coding (HCC), drives salary variations. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the competitive employment landscape for those considering a career in this field in Charleston.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,694 | $10.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,789 | $13.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,765 | $17.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37,691 | $18.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41,156 | $19.79 |
Median Salary Position
21.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, SC, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,462 (2026 est.). At $36,765, the local median is 21.14% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Charleston Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Charleston median: $36,765/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $31,477 | +16.80% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +21.14% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Charleston, SC earn a median of $36,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.14% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 16.80% above the South Carolina state average of $31,477.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 0.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 100.962 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $36,765 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $36,415 — a 0.95% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$46,640
2025 BLS Actual
$35,931
2026 Current Est.
$36,765
2021–2027 Growth
+-19.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Charleston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,931 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,765 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,618 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -23.0% from $46,640 (2021) to $35,931 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,618 by 2027 — a total increase of $-9,022 (-19.34%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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) | $22,694 – $28,789 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,789 – $36,765 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,765 – $37,691 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $37,691 – $41,156 |
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 Charleston
With a workforce of approximately 460 medical billing and coding specialists in the Charleston area, the local job market demonstrates strong demand for these professionals. The cost-of-living index of 100.962 indicates that while Charleston is slightly above the national average, the competitive salaries help maintain a favorable purchasing power. Among local employers, physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments tend to offer higher compensation compared to other settings like ambulatory surgery centers and consulting firms. Factors such as specialty focus—medical coding for inpatient services generally commanding higher pay—and the stacking of multiple credentials (CPC, CCS, CRC) contribute to the disparity in earnings. To maximize pay, coding specialists should continuously pursue certifications through recognized organizations like AAPC and AHIMA and consider options for remote work to enhance flexibility while maintaining productivity.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
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 $35,931 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Charleston 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