Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Elizabeth, NJ: $9.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Elizabeth, NJ runs $9.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $20,463 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Elizabeth's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $8.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $12,272 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elizabeth, New Jersey, the projected median hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist is estimated at $9.83 for 2026, a figure significantly lower than the national hourly median of $14.59. For professionals working part-time, such as those on a three-day workweek, this translates to an approximate annual income of just $14,000, strictly from hourly wages, which might not fully support a sustainable lifestyle in an area with a cost of living index sitting at 115.2—a clear indication of how living expenses exceed national averages. The hourly range for this profession in Elizabeth varies considerably, from around $7.35 for entry-level positions to upwards of $15.25 for experienced coders at the peak of their careers. These figures reflect estimates derived from annual salary data and showcase the financial realities for those employed in remote work situations, physician group coding environments, or third-party coding initiatives.
About the Elizabeth 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) | $7.35 | $58.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $8.52 | $68.19 |
| Median (P50) | $9.83 | $78.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $12.60 | $100.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $15.25 | $121.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elizabeth
Based on $9.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $9.83/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elizabeth, NJ can expect to earn approximately $20,453 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $11,800. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Elizabeth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elizabeth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $393.32 | $1,704 | $20,453 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $235.99 | $1,023 | $12,272 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $157.33 | $682 | $8,181 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Elizabeth) | $9.83 |
| 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 Elizabeth, NJ earn a median of $20,463 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.57% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 0.90% above the New Jersey state average of $20,280.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $9.83/hr = $12,272/year (purchasing power: $10,652).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $20,453/year (purchasing power: $17,754).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$8.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$9.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$9.83/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Elizabeth (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $8.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $8.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $9.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $9.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $9.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $10.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Elizabeth grew 9.6% from $8.77/hr (2021) to $9.61/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $10.06/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 Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth
For those considering part-time roles, a medical billing and coding specialist working 24 hours a week could face a stark difference in earnings compared to full-timers, emphasizing the need for those pursuing such paths to evaluate their long-term financial prospects. Many per diem medical billing and coding specialists in Elizabeth may bill rates ranging from $25 to $42 per hour, depending on their specialization and experience. This bifurcation in hourly rates illustrates the varied landscape of medical coding workplaces, from hospital HIM departments to remote third-party coding agencies, where the pay scale may reflect employer type and employee benefits. While some specialists accept lower hourly compensation for job security and health insurance, others might prioritize higher pay without benefits that a contract or agency role may offer. Negotiating terms effectively in Elizabeth’s competitive market, particularly for the healthcare coding sector, requires an understanding of the locality’s payment standards and the willingness to discuss pay transparently at the outset.
More salary data for Elizabeth, NJ:
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 Elizabeth. 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 Elizabeth 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