Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Lakewood, NJ: $9.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Lakewood, NJ runs $9.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $20,119 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Lakewood's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $8.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $12,067 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Recognizing the financial landscape for medical billing and coding specialists can be insightful for those considering this profession in Lakewood, New Jersey. Here, the 2026 median hourly rate stands at $9.67, significantly lower than the national median of $14.59. This hourly wage shapes the earning potential for part-time workers who may typically schedule just three days a week, where earnings translate to about $462 weekly if working 24 hours. In a remote work setting, which has become prevalent post-2020, medical coders may inflow income from various scenarios ranging from hospital HIM departments to coding cubicles at third-party companies. Nevertheless, with an hourly range reflecting entry-level to top earners from $7.01 to $14.99, these figures outline a broad scope of earning potential within the field.
About the Lakewood 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) | $7.01 | $56.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $8.19 | $65.48 |
| Median (P50) | $9.67 | $77.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $12.38 | $99.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $14.99 | $119.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakewood
Based on $9.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $9.67/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakewood, NJ can expect to earn approximately $20,112 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $11,603. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lakewood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakewood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $386.77 | $1,676 | $20,112 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $232.06 | $1,006 | $12,067 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $154.71 | $670 | $8,045 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Lakewood) | $9.67 |
| 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 Lakewood, NJ earn a median of $20,119 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.71% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 0.80% below the New Jersey state average of $20,281.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $9.67/hr = $12,067/year (purchasing power: $10,475).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $20,112/year (purchasing power: $17,458).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$8.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$9.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$9.67/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Lakewood (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $8.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $8.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $9.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $9.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $9.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $9.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Lakewood grew 9.6% from $8.62/hr (2021) to $9.45/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $9.89/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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood
The earning potential for part-time medical billing and coding specialists in Lakewood offers a clear distinction from their full-time counterparts. Working just three days per week translates to a take-home pay of around $24,024 annually, which starkly contrasts with the income of full-time workers. The reality for per diem medical billing and coding specialists is also noteworthy; those operating under a 1099 status often bill rates ranging from $25 to $42 per hour, with specialized positions seeing even higher figures, such as CCS inpatient coders earning $35 to $55 per hour. Hourly rates can fluctuate considerably depending on employer type, with physician practices and hospital departments generally less lucrative compared to third-party coding firms, which often offer remote opportunities. While some professionals might choose positions with lower hourly pay offering benefits, such as health insurance, others may prefer higher compensation without the safety net of benefits. When negotiating hourly pay in Lakewood, specialists should emphasize their qualifications, certifications from AAPC or AHIMA, and familiarity with the latest coding practices to optimize their earning potential.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 Lakewood. 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 Lakewood 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