Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Union City, NJ: $9.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Union City, NJ runs $9.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $19,998 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Union City's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $8.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $12,003 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Union City, New Jersey, a medical billing and coding specialist earns a median hourly rate of $9.62, which is significantly lower than the national median of $14.59. This disparity may impact those pursuing part-time roles, such as working three days a week, where earnings can be limited. With most positions available in various settings—ranging from remote home offices to hospital HIM departments and third-party coding companies—entry-level workers may find themselves at the lower end of the hourly range, which begins at $7.32, while experienced coders could earn up to $14.90. The hourly pay structure reflects the estimated data drawn from annual salary expectations, making it critical for potential applicants to be aware of the market when considering job opportunities in Union City.
About the Union City 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) | $7.32 | $58.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $8.38 | $67.04 |
| Median (P50) | $9.62 | $76.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $12.31 | $98.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $14.90 | $119.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Union City
Based on $9.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $9.62/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Union City, NJ can expect to earn approximately $20,006 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $11,542. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Union City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Union City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $384.72 | $1,667 | $20,006 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $230.83 | $1,000 | $12,003 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $153.89 | $667 | $8,002 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Union City) | $9.62 |
| 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 Union City, NJ earn a median of $19,998 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.11% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.40% below the New Jersey state average of $20,282.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $9.62/hr = $12,003/year (purchasing power: $10,420).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $20,006/year (purchasing power: $17,366).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$8.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$9.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$9.62/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Union City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $8.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $8.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $8.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $9.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $9.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $9.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Union City grew 9.6% from $8.58/hr (2021) to $9.40/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $9.84/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 Union City 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 Union City
Looking deeper into the financial landscape for medical billing and coding, part-time professionals working 24 hours a week can expect varying annual take-home pay, which will be considerably less than their full-time counterparts. In contrast, per diem medical billing and coding specialists typically earn much higher rates, with agency coders billing between $25 and $42 per hour, while certified coders can see rates ranging from $35 to $55. The variations in pay are significantly influenced by the employer type, as those in physician practices or hospital outpatient coding departments generally offer lower hourly wages compared to third-party coding firms or remote settings. While it might be tempting to accept lower hourly rates for benefits such as health insurance, many specialists weigh this trade-off carefully, especially in light of rapid increases in risk adjustment coding demands driven by Medicare Advantage growth. For those negotiating their hourly rate in Union City, understanding local market rates and industry standards can enhance their positioning, particularly when approaching employers like consulting firms and insurance companies.
More salary data for Union City, 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 Union City. 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 Union City 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