Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Kankakee, IL: $16.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Kankakee, IL runs $16.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $33,501 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Kankakee's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $16.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,099 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Kankakee, Illinois, the median hourly pay for medical billing and coding specialists is projected to be $16.11 in 2026, outpacing the national median of $14.59. This competitive rate opens up various opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers in the field, allowing them to work flexible schedules across diverse settings. Whether it's from a remote home office—which has become increasingly popular since 2020—hospital health information management (HIM) departments, or third-party coding companies, specialists can find a conducive environment for work. Entry-level positions typically start around $10.56 per hour, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $22.91, highlighting the potential for career growth within this field as they gain skills in coding standards such as ICD-10-CM or the complexities of risk adjustment.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.56 | $84.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $12.92 | $103.38 |
| Median (P50) | $16.11 | $128.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.94 | $159.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.91 | $183.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kankakee
Based on $16.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.11/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kankakee, IL can expect to earn approximately $33,499 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,326. With a cost-of-living index of 96.39 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kankakee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kankakee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $644.21 | $2,792 | $33,499 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $386.52 | $1,675 | $20,099 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $257.68 | $1,117 | $13,399 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Kankakee) | $16.11 |
| 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 Kankakee, IL earn a median of $33,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.39% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 13.00% above the Illinois state average of $29,647.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.11/hr = $20,099/year (purchasing power: $20,851).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $33,499/year (purchasing power: $34,752).
CoL index: 96.394 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$22.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$15.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.11/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-26.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Kankakee (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $15.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Kankakee grew -29.8% from $22.42/hr (2021) to $15.74/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.48/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 Kankakee 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 Kankakee
Considering part-time opportunities, working as a medical billing and coding specialist for just three days a week could yield an annual income of roughly $25,160, significantly less than a full-time role. However, per-diem opportunities present a different earning scenario where medical coding specialists operating on a 1099 basis can charge anywhere from $25 to $42 per hour, and specialized roles like Certified Coding Specialists (CCS) can earn even more, up to $55 per hour. This variation in hourly rates can be attributed to the type of employer; for example, coding auditors for insurance companies or consulting firms may pay higher than physician group practices or outpatient surgery centers. Specialists must also weigh the benefits of higher hourly rates against the job security and health benefits that often accompany full-time positions. When negotiating pay, coding professionals in Kankakee are advised to present their credentials from recognized bodies like AAPC and AHIMA while emphasizing their familiarity with evolving coding systems and compliance standards.
More salary data for Kankakee, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Kankakee in 2026?
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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 Kankakee. 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