Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $16.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Chicago, IL runs $16.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,403 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $15.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,636 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay stands at a median of $16.53, which reflects a robust demand for these professionals in the healthcare sector. This rate is notably above the national hourly median of $14.59, indicating a favorable market for coders in the city. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, or per-diem coders working on an as-needed basis, this hourly wage can translate into substantial earnings, allowing for flexibility alongside other commitments. The hourly pay ranges from $11.83 for entry-level positions to $22.39 for top earners, showcasing the potential for growth and increased compensation as experience and expertise develop. Many specialists are finding opportunities in diverse settings such as remote home offices, hospital HIM departments, and consultant sites, which have surged in popularity since the shift toward remote work post-2020.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.83 | $94.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.63 | $109.03 |
| Median (P50) | $16.53 | $132.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.68 | $149.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.39 | $179.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $16.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.53/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $34,393 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,842. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $661.40 | $2,866 | $34,393 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $396.84 | $1,720 | $20,636 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $264.56 | $1,146 | $13,757 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Chicago) | $16.53 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Chicago, IL earn a median of $34,403 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.36% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 16.00% above the Illinois state average of $29,658.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.53/hr = $20,636/year (purchasing power: $19,919).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $34,393/year (purchasing power: $33,199).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$22.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.53/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-25.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Chicago (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Chicago grew -28.4% from $22.56/hr (2021) to $16.16/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.92/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical billing and coding specialists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.32% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Chicago
For those considering the part-time route, a 24-hour workweek can yield significant annual earnings compared to full-time roles, allowing medical billing and coding specialists to balance their personal and professional lives while taking advantage of flexibility. Per diem medical billing and coding specialists' pay in Chicago can range considerably; while some professionals can charge $25-$42 an hour as independent contractors, CCS inpatient coders often command even higher rates of $35-$55 per hour. Specific types of employers also alter pay rates considerably; for instance, healthcare facilities and consulting firms may offer benefits that justify lower hourly wages compared to higher-paying opportunities with no benefits. In this scene, it’s crucial for workers to weigh their options based on their financial needs and desired work-life balance. When negotiating, specialists in Chicago should showcase their coding credentials and relevant experience to secure competitive hourly rates reflective of both local market demand and their specific skill set.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical billing and coding specialists in Chicago. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical billing and coding specialists (SOC 29-2072).
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