Medical Billing Salary

Peoria vs Rockford: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Peoria, IL and Rockford, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Peoria, IL
$29,590
$14.22/hr
Rockford, IL
$29,537
$14.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPeoria, ILRockford, IL
Median Salary$29,590$29,537
Hourly Rate$14.22$14.20
Entry Level (P10)$22,439$22,314
25th Percentile$26,979$23,454
75th Percentile$35,792$36,278
Top Earner (P90)$44,361$41,904
Total Employed230120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Peoria ($29,590) and Rockford ($29,537) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.PeoriaRockfordMedian Salary$29,590$29,537Entry Level (P10)$22,439$22,314Top Earner (P90)$44,361$41,904US Median $30,349

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Rockford.

The salary gap between Peoria and Rockford is $53 (0.18%). Peoria's median is -2.50% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Peoria spans $21,922,Rockford spans $19,590. Peoria has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Peoria
P10 (Entry)$22,439
P25$26,979
Median$29,590
P75$35,792
P90 (Top)$44,361
Rockford
P10 (Entry)$22,314
P25$23,454
Median$29,537
P75$36,278
P90 (Top)$41,904

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($32,434 effective) pays 1.19% more than Rockford ($32,052 effective).

Peoria
Nominal: $29,590
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $32,434
Rockford
Nominal: $29,537
CoL Index: 92.154
Adjusted: $32,052

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($29,590/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($44,361)
  • Larger job market (230 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $32,434)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Rockford if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Peoria grew -22.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -38.1% growth in Rockford over the same period.

Peoria, IL

+-22.0%

$37,070 (2021) → $28,919 (2025)

Rockford, IL

+-38.1%

$46,660 (2021) → $28,867 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Peoria or Rockford?

Peoria has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $29,590/year, compared to Rockford at $29,537/year — a difference of $53 (0.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Peoria and Rockford?

Peoria medical billing and coding specialists earn $14.22/hr while Rockford hygienists earn $14.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Peoria to Rockford as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Peoria and Rockford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Peoria = $32,434, Rockford = $32,052), job availability (230 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Peoria vs Rockford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $22,439 in Peoria and $22,314 in Rockford. The Peoria 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