Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Middletown, NJ: $9.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Middletown, NJ runs $9.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $19,964 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Middletown's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $8.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $11,978 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Middletown, New Jersey, medical billing and coding specialists earn a median hourly rate of $9.60, significantly lower than the national median of $14.59. This disparity in hourly pay reflects the unique economic conditions of the area and may pose challenges for part-time workers or those seeking per-diem opportunities. With the demand for remote work rising, many specialists are finding positions in home offices, hospitals, and third-party coding companies. The hourly pay for entry-level workers starts around $7.27, while experienced professionals can earn up to $14.78. As more medical billing and coding positions transition to remote settings, the flexibility offered by part-time work can be attractive, though it often comes with income limitations compared to a traditional full-time schedule.
About the Middletown 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) | $7.27 | $58.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $8.34 | $66.71 |
| Median (P50) | $9.60 | $76.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $11.93 | $95.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $14.78 | $118.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Middletown
Based on $9.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $9.60/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Middletown, NJ can expect to earn approximately $19,963 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $11,517. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Middletown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Middletown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $383.90 | $1,664 | $19,963 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $230.34 | $998 | $11,978 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $153.56 | $665 | $7,985 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Middletown) | $9.60 |
| 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 Middletown, NJ earn a median of $19,964 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.22% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.50% below the New Jersey state average of $20,268.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $9.60/hr = $11,978/year (purchasing power: $10,397).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $19,963/year (purchasing power: $17,329).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$8.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$9.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$9.60/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Middletown (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $8.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $8.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $8.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $9.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $9.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $9.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Middletown grew 9.6% from $8.56/hr (2021) to $9.38/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $9.82/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 Middletown 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 Middletown
Considering a three-day workweek, a medical billing and coding professional in Middletown would see a considerable difference in income compared to their full-time counterparts. Those working just 24 hours a week would take home approximately $19,994 annually, highlighting the income constraints of part-time schedules. For those opting for per diem positions, rates can vary significantly; independent medical coders bill at rates between $25 and $42 per hour, with specialized coders such as CCS inpatient coders averaging $35 to $55 per hour. Different employer types can also influence pay rates, with coding roles in physician group practices and hospital departments generally offering lower hourly wages, while third-party coding companies and consulting firms might provide better compensation. Specialists need to weigh the benefits of higher per-hour rates in temporary roles against the advantages of steady employment that often includes health insurance. Effective negotiation is key in this environment; understanding how to argue for a competitive hourly wage based on local demand and specialized skills can make a substantial difference in overall earnings.
More salary data for Middletown, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Middletown in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Middletown?
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Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Middletown?
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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 Middletown. 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 Middletown 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