Medical Billing Salary

Philadelphia vs Erie: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Philadelphia, PA and Erie, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Philadelphia, PA
$29,495
$14.18/hr
Erie, PA
$25,305
$12.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPhiladelphia, PAErie, PA
Median Salary$29,495$25,305
Hourly Rate$14.18$12.17
Entry Level (P10)$22,776$20,343
25th Percentile$26,468$21,857
75th Percentile$38,788$33,329
Top Earner (P90)$49,643$40,972
Total Employed3,26080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Philadelphia ($29,495) and Erie ($25,305) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.PhiladelphiaErieMedian Salary$29,495$25,305Entry Level (P10)$22,776$20,343Top Earner (P90)$49,643$40,972US Median $30,349

Verdict

Philadelphia, PA offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Erie.

The salary gap between Philadelphia and Erie is $4,190 (16.56%). Philadelphia's median is -2.81% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Philadelphia spans $26,867,Erie spans $20,629. Philadelphia has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Philadelphia
P10 (Entry)$22,776
P25$26,468
Median$29,495
P75$38,788
P90 (Top)$49,643
Erie
P10 (Entry)$20,343
P25$21,857
Median$25,305
P75$33,329
P90 (Top)$40,972

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Philadelphia ($28,760 effective) pays 3.37% more than Erie ($27,823 effective).

Philadelphia
Nominal: $29,495
CoL Index: 102.554
Adjusted: $28,760
Erie
Nominal: $25,305
CoL Index: 90.95
Adjusted: $27,823

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Philadelphia if…

  • Higher median salary ($29,495/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($49,643)
  • Larger job market (3,260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $28,760)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Erie if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Philadelphia grew -41.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -33.0% growth in Erie over the same period.

Philadelphia, PA

+-41.2%

$49,020 (2021) → $28,826 (2025)

Erie, PA

+-33.0%

$36,930 (2021) → $24,731 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Philadelphia or Erie?

Philadelphia has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $29,495/year, compared to Erie at $25,305/year — a difference of $4,190 (16.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Philadelphia and Erie?

Philadelphia medical billing and coding specialists earn $14.18/hr while Erie hygienists earn $12.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Philadelphia to Erie as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Philadelphia and Erie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Philadelphia = $28,760, Erie = $27,823), job availability (3,260 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Philadelphia vs Erie?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $22,776 in Philadelphia and $20,343 in Erie. The Philadelphia 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