Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Newark, NJ: $17.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Newark, NJ runs $17.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $36,368 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Newark's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $15.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,823 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Newark, New Jersey, medical billing and coding specialists earn a median hourly rate of $17.49, significantly higher than the national average of $14.59. This favorable hourly rate provides opportunities for part-time workers, many of whom typically operate three days a week in various settings such as remote home offices, hospital Health Information Management (HIM) departments, or third-party coding companies. Entry-level positions may start around $11.48, while experienced specialists can command upwards of $27.10 per hour. The range of hourly rates reflects the diversity of the role and allows flexibility for those who may seek per-diem work, which has become increasingly prevalent since the shift to remote work in the healthcare sector post-2020.
About the Newark 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) | $11.48 | $91.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.97 | $119.76 |
| Median (P50) | $17.49 | $139.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.38 | $179.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.10 | $216.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Newark
Based on $17.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.49/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Newark, NJ can expect to earn approximately $36,372 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,984. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Newark.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Newark
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $699.46 | $3,031 | $36,372 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $419.68 | $1,819 | $21,823 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $279.78 | $1,212 | $14,549 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Newark) | $17.49 |
| 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 Newark, NJ earn a median of $36,368 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.83% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 79.30% above the New Jersey state average of $20,283.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.49/hr = $21,823/year (purchasing power: $18,944).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $36,372/year (purchasing power: $31,573).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$15.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.49/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Newark (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Newark grew 9.6% from $15.59/hr (2021) to $17.09/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.89/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 Newark 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 Newark
Part-time billing and coding specialists working 24 hours a week can expect to earn about $21,650 annually, a considerable difference compared to their full-time counterparts who earn significantly more. For those considering per-diem positions, agency coders billing on a 1099 basis can expect rates between $25 and $42 per hour, with some specialized roles, such as CCS inpatient coding, reaching $35 to $55 per hour. Additionally, medical billing and coding professionals may face varying pay rates depending on their employer type; physicians’ offices, hospitals, and insurance companies each offer distinct compensation structures. Some specialists may choose lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others may prioritize compensation over benefits. For those negotiating their salary, understanding the local market trends and being upfront about skill sets can enhance leverage, particularly in skill-demand areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding, which continue to grow within the industry.
More salary data for Newark, 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 Newark. 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 Newark 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