Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in West Orange, NJ: $9.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in West Orange, NJ runs $9.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $20,108 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against West Orange's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $8.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $12,067 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Medical billing and coding specialists in West Orange, NJ, can expect a median hourly pay of $9.67 in 2026, a figure that significantly lags behind the national average of $14.59 per hour. This disparity highlights the unique economic landscape of the region. For those considering part-time positions, typically working three days a week, the hourly pay translates to limited earnings, suggesting a challenging financial scenario for individuals in entry-level roles or those working in small physician practices. The hourly pay spans a range, from approximately $7.20 for entry-level positions to around $14.93 for skilled coders, providing opportunities for specialists to rise through the ranks in varied settings such as hospital health information management (HIM) departments or remote work-from-home positions, increasingly common since 2020.
About the West Orange 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) | $7.20 | $57.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $8.27 | $66.14 |
| Median (P50) | $9.67 | $77.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $12.17 | $97.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $14.93 | $119.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Orange
Based on $9.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $9.67/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Orange, NJ can expect to earn approximately $20,112 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $11,603. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in West Orange.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Orange
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $386.77 | $1,676 | $20,112 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $232.06 | $1,006 | $12,067 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $154.71 | $670 | $8,045 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (West Orange) | $9.67 |
| 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 West Orange, NJ earn a median of $20,108 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.74% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 0.80% below the New Jersey state average of $20,270.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $9.67/hr = $12,067/year (purchasing power: $10,475).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $20,112/year (purchasing power: $17,458).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$8.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$9.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$9.67/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in West Orange (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $8.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $8.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $9.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.95/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $9.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $9.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $9.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in West Orange grew 9.6% from $8.62/hr (2021) to $9.45/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $9.89/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 West Orange 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 West Orange
When examining the earning potential for part-time medical billing and coding professionals, those working 24 hours a week could see significant differences in income compared to their full-time counterparts. While full-time workers generally have more stability and benefits, per diem and agency coders have the potential to earn higher rates, often ranging from $25 to $42 per hour depending on their expertise and work environment. Agencies looking for specialists in risk adjustment coding, especially those familiar with Medicare Advantage and HCC coding, may pay as much as $65 per hour, making per diem medical billing and coding specialist pay in West Orange a lucrative option for seasoned professionals. Hourly rates also vary widely based on the employer type, whether it's a smaller practice, a large hospital, or a remote third-party coding service. As specialists navigate their career paths, they should weigh the benefits of higher hourly wages against the stability offered by employer-sponsored health insurance, keeping negotiation strategies in mind when discussing pay and conditions tailored to the local market dynamics.
More salary data for West Orange, 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 West Orange. 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 West Orange 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