Medical Billing Salary

Baltimore vs Ellicott City: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Baltimore, MD and Ellicott City, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$35,245
$16.94/hr
Ellicott City, MD
$19,322
$9.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDEllicott City, MD
Median Salary$35,245$19,322
Hourly Rate$16.94$9.29
Entry Level (P10)$21,008$13,724
25th Percentile$27,364$16,095
75th Percentile$39,418$24,062
Top Earner (P90)$51,654$29,803
Total Employed1,36015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($35,245) and Ellicott City ($19,322) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.BaltimoreEllicott CityMedian Salary$35,245$19,322Entry Level (P10)$21,008$13,724Top Earner (P90)$51,654$29,803US Median $30,349

Verdict

Baltimore, MD offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Ellicott City.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Ellicott City is $15,923 (82.41%). Baltimore's median is +16.13% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $30,646,Ellicott City spans $16,079. Baltimore has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$21,008
P25$27,364
Median$35,245
P75$39,418
P90 (Top)$51,654
Ellicott City
P10 (Entry)$13,724
P25$16,095
Median$19,322
P75$24,062
P90 (Top)$29,803

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baltimore ($33,731 effective) pays 90.81% more than Ellicott City ($17,678 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $35,245
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $33,731
Ellicott City
Nominal: $19,322
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $17,678

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Higher median salary ($35,245/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($51,654)
  • Larger job market (1,360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $33,731)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Ellicott City if…

  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Baltimore grew -28.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -70.3% growth in Ellicott City over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+-28.2%

$47,950 (2021) → $34,446 (2025)

Ellicott City, MD

+-70.3%

$63,666 (2024) → $18,884 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Baltimore or Ellicott City?

Baltimore has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $35,245/year, compared to Ellicott City at $19,322/year — a difference of $15,923 (82.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Ellicott City?

Baltimore medical billing and coding specialists earn $16.94/hr while Ellicott City hygienists earn $9.29/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Ellicott City as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Ellicott City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $33,731, Ellicott City = $17,678), job availability (1,360 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Baltimore vs Ellicott City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $21,008 in Baltimore and $13,724 in Ellicott City. The Baltimore area offers higher starting salaries.
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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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