Medical Billing Salary

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

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

New Bedford, MA
$34,911
$16.78/hr
Worcester, MA
$30,296
$14.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Bedford, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$34,911$30,296
Hourly Rate$16.78$14.56
Entry Level (P10)$26,119$22,242
25th Percentile$30,164$26,699
75th Percentile$43,961$37,536
Top Earner (P90)$54,111$44,848
Total Employed24330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Bedford ($34,911) and Worcester ($30,296) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.New BedfordWorcesterMedian Salary$34,911$30,296Entry Level (P10)$26,119$22,242Top Earner (P90)$54,111$44,848US Median $30,349

Verdict

New Bedford, MA offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Worcester.

The salary gap between New Bedford and Worcester is $4,615 (15.23%). New Bedford's median is +15.03% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Bedford spans $27,992,Worcester spans $22,606. New Bedford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Bedford
P10 (Entry)$26,119
P25$30,164
Median$34,911
P75$43,961
P90 (Top)$54,111
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, New Bedford ($32,176 effective) pays 8.89% more than Worcester ($29,550 effective).

New Bedford
Nominal: $34,911
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $32,176
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 New Bedford if…

  • Higher median salary ($34,911/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($54,111)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $32,176)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Larger job market (330 employed)
  • 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 New Bedford grew -42.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -47.7% growth in Worcester over the same period.

New Bedford, MA

+-42.0%

$58,810 (2021) → $34,119 (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: New Bedford or Worcester?

New Bedford has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $34,911/year, compared to Worcester at $30,296/year — a difference of $4,615 (15.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Bedford and Worcester?

New Bedford medical billing and coding specialists earn $16.78/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $14.56/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Bedford and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Bedford = $32,176, Worcester = $29,550), job availability (24 vs 330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $26,119 in New Bedford and $22,242 in Worcester. The New Bedford 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