Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Chicago, IL: $34,403 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Chicago, IL earns a median $34,403/year (≈ $16.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Chicago's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $33,209 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.0% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical billing and coding specialist salary in Chicago is projected to be a median of $34,403 annually. This figure reflects an increase over previous years, positioning it significantly above the national median of $30,349 for the same role—specifically, 13.36% higher. Salaries in the area range broadly from $24,605 at the 10th percentile to $46,569 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the earnings potential for specialists depending on their experience and credentials. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and underscores the competitive landscape for medical coders in Chicago, particularly as remote work capabilities have expanded the market for talent and created new opportunities for professionals seeking upward mobility.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24,605 | $11.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,338 | $13.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $34,403 | $16.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38,865 | $18.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,569 | $22.39 |
Median Salary Position
13.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicago
In Chicago, IL, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,964 (2026 est.). At $34,403, the local median is 13.36% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chicago: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chicago Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Chicago median: $34,403/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chicago Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $29,658 | +16.00% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +13.36% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Chicago, IL earn a median of $34,403 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.36% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 16.00% above the Illinois state average of $29,658.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chicago has a cost of living 3.59% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chicago, IL has a cost-of-living index of 103.595 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $34,403 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $33,209 — a 3.47% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$46,920
2025 BLS Actual
$33,623
2026 Current Est.
$34,403
2021–2027 Growth
+-25.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Chicago (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,623 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,403 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,201 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicago metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -28.3% from $46,920 (2021) to $33,623 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,201 by 2027 — a total increase of $-11,719 (-24.98%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $24,605 – $28,338 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,338 – $34,403 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $34,403 – $38,865 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $38,865 – $46,569 |
MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in Chicago
With 4,510 medical billing and coding specialists employed in the Chicago area, the job market remains robust, yet candidates must consider the cost of living, which sits at a CoL index of 103.595—indicating that expenses are higher than the national average. The most lucrative opportunities in the region tend to arise from physician group practice coding offices, hospital inpatient coding departments, and third-party remote coding companies. To capitalize on salary potential, specialists should focus on enhancing their credentials, especially in high-demand areas such as risk adjustment and inpatient coding, where providers often pay premium rates. Additionally, professionals can boost their earnings through productivity bonuses and by seeking roles that value specialized skills, such as compliance and audit proficiency. Given this context, adapting to industry shifts and continuously advancing one's education through institutions like AAPC or AHIMA will be vital for maximizing the medical billing and coding specialist pay in Chicago, IL.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $33,623 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Chicago metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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