Medical Billing Salary

Howell vs Trenton: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Howell, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Howell, NJ
$20,288
$9.75/hr
Trenton, NJ
$34,770
$16.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHowell, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$20,288$34,770
Hourly Rate$9.75$16.72
Entry Level (P10)$14,285$21,430
25th Percentile$16,806$28,308
75th Percentile$25,202$41,364
Top Earner (P90)$31,446$50,219
Total Employed11170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Howell ($20,288) and Trenton ($34,770) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.HowellTrentonMedian Salary$20,288$34,770Entry Level (P10)$14,285$21,430Top Earner (P90)$31,446$50,219US Median $30,349

Verdict

Trenton, NJ offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Howell.

The salary gap between Howell and Trenton is $14,482 (71.38%). Trenton's median is +14.57% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Howell spans $17,161,Trenton spans $28,789. Trenton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical billing and coding specialists.

Howell
P10 (Entry)$14,285
P25$16,806
Median$20,288
P75$25,202
P90 (Top)$31,446
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$21,430
P25$28,308
Median$34,770
P75$41,364
P90 (Top)$50,219

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($33,698 effective) pays 91.35% more than Howell ($17,611 effective).

Howell
Nominal: $20,288
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $17,611
Trenton
Nominal: $34,770
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $33,698

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Howell if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Higher median salary ($34,770/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,219)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $33,698)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Howell grew -71.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -44.4% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Howell, NJ

+-71.3%

$69,154 (2024) → $19,828 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+-44.4%

$61,160 (2021) → $33,982 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Howell or Trenton?

Trenton has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $34,770/year, compared to Howell at $20,288/year — a difference of $14,482 (71.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Howell and Trenton?

Howell medical billing and coding specialists earn $9.75/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $16.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Howell to Trenton as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Howell and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Howell = $17,611, Trenton = $33,698), job availability (11 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Howell vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $14,285 in Howell and $21,430 in Trenton. The Trenton 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