Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in North Bergen, NJ: $9.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in North Bergen, NJ runs $9.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $19,665 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against North Bergen's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $8.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $11,799 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In North Bergen, New Jersey, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected to hit a median of $9.45 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $14.59. This disparity highlights the regional economic conditions, making the market for part-time or per-diem workers more challenging. For those working three days a week in a remote home office or in hospital coding departments, the pay reflects the local demand for these roles. The hourly wage ranges from $6.95 at the entry-level (10th percentile) to about $14.65 for the highest earners (90th percentile). The figures for North Bergen, particularly influenced by the influx of remote work opportunities, suggest that aspiring specialists must navigate a competitive landscape and focus on specialized areas, such as risk adjustment coding, to enhance their earning potential.
About the North Bergen 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) | $6.95 | $55.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $7.84 | $62.70 |
| Median (P50) | $9.45 | $75.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $11.96 | $95.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $14.65 | $117.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in North Bergen
Based on $9.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $9.45/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in North Bergen, NJ can expect to earn approximately $19,665 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $11,345. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in North Bergen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in North Bergen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $378.17 | $1,639 | $19,665 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $226.90 | $983 | $11,799 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $151.27 | $656 | $7,866 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (North Bergen) | $9.45 |
| 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 North Bergen, NJ earn a median of $19,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.20% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 3.00% below the New Jersey state average of $20,273.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $9.45/hr = $11,799/year (purchasing power: $10,242).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $19,665/year (purchasing power: $17,070).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$8.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$9.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$9.45/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in North Bergen (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $8.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $8.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $8.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $9.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $9.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $9.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in North Bergen grew 9.6% from $8.43/hr (2021) to $9.24/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $9.67/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 North Bergen 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 North Bergen
Looking beyond the median hourly rate, part-time medical billing and coding specialists working 24 hours a week can expect to earn a modest income that translates into approximately $12,793 annually. This figure is notably lower than what full-time professionals would earn, but per-diem workers can experience different realities. In North Bergen, per diem medical billing and coding specialists might command rates between $25 and $42 per hour, a significant premium over standard positions. Factors such as employer type—ranging from physician group practices to hospital coding departments and third-party coding firms—affect hourly wages differently. Many opt for lower-paying full-time positions to obtain health benefits instead of pursuing higher pay through freelancing or agency work. For negotiation, understanding the local market dynamics, current coding trends, and leveraging specific skill sets—like proficiency in ICD-10-CM and CPT coding—are crucial for enhancing pay rates in a fluctuating job market.
More salary data for North Bergen, 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 North Bergen. 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 North Bergen 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