Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Clifton, NJ: $9.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Clifton, NJ runs $9.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $19,902 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Clifton's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $8.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $11,940 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

For medical billing and coding specialists in Clifton, New Jersey, the projected hourly rate in 2026 is $9.57. This figure is significantly below the national median hourly rate of $14.59, indicating a disparity that may impact career decisions for those in the profession. Many specialists take advantage of part-time work, typically around three days a week, enabling flexibility while still benefiting from the highest demand for remote opportunities that became prevalent post-2020. The hourly pay range in Clifton varies considerably, from an entry-level starting point of $7.21 to top earners making $14.83 per hour. Generally, these estimates are derived from annual salary data; thus, they reflect a real-time snapshot of hourly compensation within various work environments, including home offices, hospital departments, and coding companies.
About the Clifton Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $7.21 | $57.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $8.28 | $66.22 |
| Median (P50) | $9.57 | $76.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $11.86 | $94.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $14.83 | $118.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Clifton
Based on $9.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $9.57/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Clifton, NJ can expect to earn approximately $19,899 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $11,480. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Clifton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Clifton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $382.68 | $1,658 | $19,899 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $229.61 | $995 | $11,940 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $153.07 | $663 | $7,960 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Clifton) | $9.57 |
| 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 Clifton, NJ earn a median of $19,902 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.42% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.90% below the New Jersey state average of $20,288.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $9.57/hr = $11,940/year (purchasing power: $10,364).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $19,899/year (purchasing power: $17,274).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$8.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$9.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$9.57/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Clifton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $8.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $8.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $8.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $9.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $9.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $9.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Clifton grew 9.6% from $8.53/hr (2021) to $9.35/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $9.79/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 Clifton 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 Clifton
Examining the financial landscape reveals an intriguing reality for both full-time and part-time medical billing and coding specialists. Working part-time, for instance, amounts to around $12,713 annually for a 24-hour workweek, which starkly contrasts with full-time earnings in the industry. In contrast, per diem medical billing and coding specialists in Clifton often command rates between $25 and $42 per hour. More specialized roles can yield even higher compensation; CCS inpatient coders typically earn between $35 and $55 per hour, and CRC risk adjustment specialists can earn up to $65 per hour. Different employers also influence pay rates significantly, with physician group practices and third-party coding companies showing varied compensation structures. While some specialists may choose to accept lower hourly rates for the benefits of healthcare coverage provided by employers, others may favor higher hourly wages without such perks. Negotiating hourly pay requires understanding local market rates and the value of specialized skills, particularly for those involved in remote coding roles or with credentials from recognized organizations like AAPC and AHIMA.
More salary data for Clifton, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Clifton in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Clifton?
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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 Clifton. 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 Clifton 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