Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in DeKalb, IL: $28,534 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in DeKalb, IL earns a median $28,534/year (≈ $13.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in DeKalb's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $29,386 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In DeKalb, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for medical billing and coding specialists is $28,534 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $30,349. The salary range for this role varies significantly, with the lower 10% earning about $22,192 and the top 90% making up to $44,228. These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, taking into account regional cost adjustments. While the specialty of inpatient coding (CCS certification) often commands higher pay compared to outpatient coding (CPC) and risk adjustment coding, the local market in DeKalb showcases its own dynamics that can affect salaries and employment opportunities.
About the DeKalb Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,192 | $10.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25,093 | $12.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $28,534 | $13.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34,856 | $16.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44,228 | $21.26 |
Median Salary Position
5.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in DeKalb
In DeKalb, IL, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,036 (2026 est.). At $28,534, the local median is 5.98% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in DeKalb: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How DeKalb Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
DeKalb median: $28,534/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | DeKalb Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $29,661 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -5.98% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in DeKalb, IL earn a median of $28,534 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.98% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $29,661.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
DeKalb has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
DeKalb, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $28,534 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $29,386 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$25,444
2025 BLS Actual
$27,887
2026 Current Est.
$28,534
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in DeKalb (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $25,444 | Actual |
| 2022 | $25,728 | Actual |
| 2023 | $26,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,719 | Actual |
| 2025 | $27,887 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,534 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29,196 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the DeKalb metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $25,444 (2021) to $27,887 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $29,196 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,752 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the DeKalb 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) | $22,192 – $25,093 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $25,093 – $28,534 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $28,534 – $34,856 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $34,856 – $44,228 |
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 DeKalb
Currently, there are nine medical billing and coding specialists employed in DeKalb, where the cost-of-living index sits at 97.1, indicating lower living costs compared to the national average. This favorable index provides some buffer in take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, physician group practices and healthcare facilities often offer the most competitive wages—paying more than third-party coding companies or ambulatory surgery centers. The variation in salaries often arises from factors such as specialty focus, the value of credential stacking (like pairing CPC with CCS), and bonus structures based on productivity. For those looking to maximize earnings in this market, seeking out opportunities in high-demand specialty areas or acquiring additional certifications through organizations like AAPC or AHIMA could prove beneficial as remote coding positions become more prevalent.
More salary data for DeKalb, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in DeKalb, IL in 2026?
Is DeKalb, IL a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?
Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in DeKalb?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in DeKalb?
How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in DeKalb?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $27,887 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the DeKalb 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
Salary data for DeKalb 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