Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Decatur, IL: $14.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Decatur, IL runs $14.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $29,715 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.4, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $16.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $17,826 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Illinois, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected to be $14.28 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $14.59. This pay scale provides an interesting scenario for those considering part-time work or per-diem positions in the medical coding field. Professionals working part-time, such as three days a week, may find themselves with a flexible schedule while earning a stable income that can accommodate their personal commitments. The hourly range in Decatur spans from $10.67 for entry-level positions to $18.89 for experienced coders, offering opportunities within various settings, from remote home offices to traditional hospital HIM departments. These insights are drawn from official BLS estimates based on 2025 data, projected forward to inform on future trends.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.67 | $85.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $12.11 | $96.92 |
| Median (P50) | $14.28 | $114.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $15.17 | $121.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $18.89 | $151.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $14.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $14.28/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, IL can expect to earn approximately $29,710 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $17,141. With a cost-of-living index of 88.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $571.35 | $2,476 | $29,710 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $342.81 | $1,486 | $17,826 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $228.54 | $990 | $11,884 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Decatur) | $14.28 |
| 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 Decatur, IL earn a median of $29,715 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.09% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 0.20% above the Illinois state average of $29,655.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $14.28/hr = $17,826/year (purchasing power: $20,160).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $29,710/year (purchasing power: $33,601).
CoL index: 88.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$12.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$14.28/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Decatur (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $12.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Decatur grew 9.6% from $12.74/hr (2021) to $13.96/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.62/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 Decatur 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 Decatur
For those exploring the potential earnings in Decatur, part-time specialists working 24 hours a week might expect to take home around $33,478 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. In the per-diem realm, billing rates soar, with experienced coders billing between $25 and $42 per hour, and specialized roles, such as CCS inpatient coders and CRC risk adjustment specialists, fetching $35 to $65 per hour. Hourly pay varies markedly by employer type; for instance, coding positions at hospital inpatient departments or third-party coding companies often offer different compensation packages compared to roles in consulting firms or insurance company audit teams. Many specialists must weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly pay without benefits versus more stable positions that offer health insurance. For those in Decatur, negotiating effectively can revolve around understanding industry standards and local conditions while ensuring compensation matches both skills and the evolving landscape of medical coding.
More salary data for Decatur, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Decatur in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Decatur?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Decatur paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Decatur?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Decatur?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Decatur. 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, 4-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