Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Wheeling, IL: $13.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Wheeling, IL runs $13.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $28,945 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Wheeling's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $14.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $17,367 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheeling, Illinois, the hourly pay for medical billing and coding specialists is projected to hit a median of $13.92 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $14.59, suggesting a modest compensation landscape for professionals in this field within the region. For part-time employees working typically three days a week, or those engaged in per-diem positions, this hourly rate presents both opportunities and constraints. The work settings vary from remote home offices— increasingly popular since 2020—to hospital HIM departments and physician group coding cubicles. Entry-level specialists can expect to earn around $10.72, while those with significant experience may see their hourly rate rise to as much as $21.57, reflecting the diverse financial potential of this role in Wheeling.
About the Wheeling Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $10.72 | $85.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $12.18 | $97.41 |
| Median (P50) | $13.92 | $111.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.76 | $142.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $21.57 | $172.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheeling
Based on $13.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $13.92/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheeling, IL can expect to earn approximately $28,944 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,699. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheeling.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheeling
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $556.62 | $2,412 | $28,944 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $333.97 | $1,447 | $17,367 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $222.65 | $965 | $11,578 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Wheeling) | $13.92 |
| 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 Wheeling, IL earn a median of $28,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.63% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $29,657.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $13.92/hr = $17,367/year (purchasing power: $17,885).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $28,944/year (purchasing power: $29,809).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$12.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$13.92/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Wheeling (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $12.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $12.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $12.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Wheeling grew 9.6% from $12.41/hr (2021) to $13.60/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.24/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 Wheeling 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 Wheeling
Considering the implications of part-time and per-diem roles, a medical billing and coding specialist in Wheeling working 24 hours a week would earn significantly less than a full-time counterpart, ultimately taking home about $17,510 annually if working part-time at the median rate. Many 1099 coders, especially those working through agencies or as locum tenaga, command higher per diem rates that range between $25 and $42 an hour. Various employer types influence hourly compensation as well; for example, specialists in physician group practices and inpatient coding departments often earn less compared to their counterparts at third-party companies or consulting firms, where remote work is common. When considering positions, coders must weigh the benefits of lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance against potentially higher earnings without benefits. Negotiating hourly rates in Wheeling can be strategic; highlighting skills like expertise in HCC coding or familiarity with the latest coding updates can positively impact pay discussions.
More salary data for Wheeling, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Wheeling in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Wheeling?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Wheeling paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Wheeling?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Wheeling?
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 Wheeling. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wheeling is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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