Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Union, NJ: $9.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Union, NJ runs $9.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $20,471 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Union's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $8.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $12,284 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Union, NJ, a medical billing and coding specialist earns a median hourly pay of $9.84, significantly lower than the national median of $14.59. This hourly rate influences the landscape for part-time workers and those seeking per-diem opportunities, especially as the field has largely transitioned to remote home offices since 2020. For specialists working in various settings, such as hospital health information management (HIM) departments, physician group coding cubicles, and third-party coding companies, the hourly wage can range from $7.03 at the lower end to $15.26 for top earners in Union. These rates, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate that entry-level positions may struggle to meet the higher earnings available in other states or even within New Jersey.
About the Union 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) | $7.03 | $56.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $8.26 | $66.06 |
| Median (P50) | $9.84 | $78.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $12.32 | $98.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $15.26 | $122.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Union
Based on $9.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $9.84/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Union, NJ can expect to earn approximately $20,474 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $11,812. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Union.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Union
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $393.73 | $1,706 | $20,474 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $236.24 | $1,024 | $12,284 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $157.49 | $682 | $8,190 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Union) | $9.84 |
| 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, NJ earn a median of $20,471 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.55% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.00% above the New Jersey state average of $20,268.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $9.84/hr = $12,284/year (purchasing power: $10,663).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $20,474/year (purchasing power: $17,772).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$8.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$9.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$9.84/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Union (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $8.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $8.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $9.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $9.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $9.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $10.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Union grew 9.6% from $8.78/hr (2021) to $9.62/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $10.07/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 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
Focusing on part-time opportunities, someone working three days a week in this role typically earns considerably less than their full-time counterparts, impacting annual take-home pay. For example, a part-time medical billing and coding specialist working 24 hours weekly could find themselves at a disadvantage compared to full-time workers who benefit from health insurance and other employer-provided perks. Furthermore, per diem medical billing and coding specialist pay in Union can be more lucrative, often billing between $25 to $42 per hour, especially in roles like CCS inpatient coders or risk adjustment specialists at Medicare Advantage payers, where rates may range from $40 to $65 hourly. Employers vary in pay structure, with hospital inpatient coding departments, physician group practices, and consulting firms offering different compensation levels, often reflective of the benefits or flexibility they provide. For those negotiating hourly pay in Union, understanding the local market dynamics and emphasizing your skills in current coding standards, particularly in ICD-10-CM or CPT updates, can enhance your appeal to a variety of employers.
More salary data for Union, 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. 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 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