Medical Billing Salary

Boston vs Worcester: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Boston, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$35,881
$17.25/hr
Worcester, MA
$30,296
$14.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$35,881$30,296
Hourly Rate$17.25$14.56
Entry Level (P10)$27,026$22,242
25th Percentile$29,175$26,699
75th Percentile$44,806$37,536
Top Earner (P90)$48,818$44,848
Total Employed2,630330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($35,881) and Worcester ($30,296) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.BostonWorcesterMedian Salary$35,881$30,296Entry Level (P10)$27,026$22,242Top Earner (P90)$48,818$44,848US Median $30,349

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Worcester.

The salary gap between Boston and Worcester is $5,585 (18.43%). Boston's median is +18.23% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $21,792,Worcester spans $22,606. Worcester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical billing and coding specialists.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$27,026
P25$29,175
Median$35,881
P75$44,806
P90 (Top)$48,818
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$22,242
P25$26,699
Median$30,296
P75$37,536
P90 (Top)$44,848

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($33,142 effective) pays 12.15% more than Worcester ($29,550 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $35,881
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $33,142
Worcester
Nominal: $30,296
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $29,550

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($35,881/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($48,818)
  • Larger job market (2,630 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $33,142)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Boston grew -40.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -47.7% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Boston, MA

+-40.8%

$59,210 (2021) → $35,067 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+-47.7%

$56,610 (2021) → $29,609 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Boston or Worcester?

Boston has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $35,881/year, compared to Worcester at $30,296/year — a difference of $5,585 (18.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Worcester?

Boston medical billing and coding specialists earn $17.25/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $14.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Worcester as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $33,142, Worcester = $29,550), job availability (2,630 vs 330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Boston vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $27,026 in Boston and $22,242 in Worcester. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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