Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Joliet, IL: $29,461 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Joliet, IL earns a median $29,461/year (≈ $14.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $30,341 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

With remote work shaping employment standards, the medical billing and coding specialist salary in Joliet, IL, is projected to reach a median of $29,461 in 2026. This figure represents a slight decrease from the national median of $30,349. The salary range in Joliet runs from $21,405 at the 10th percentile to $45,664 at the 90th percentile, providing a broad spectrum of earning potential within the local market. These estimates, informed by 2025 BLS data, take into account regional price adjustments that reflect the local economic context. The job market in Joliet shows a steady demand for skilled professionals, influenced by the continuing shift towards remote work and the growing complexity of medical coding duties.
The local job market has around 25 medical billing and coding specialists currently employed, contributing to a competitive landscape. Joliet's cost of living index sits at 97.1, slightly below the national average, which affects disposable income and purchasing power for specialists in the area. Among various employers like physician group practices, hospital inpatient coding departments, and insurance companies, pay rates can vary significantly. Factors influencing income disparities include the complexity of coding specializations—such as inpatient coding or risk adjustment—and the advanced credentials that experts may carry, like CPC or CCS. Maximizing earnings in Joliet could hinge on pursuing additional certifications or gaining experience in high-demand specialties such as HCC coding. Furthermore, remote opportunities may offer flexible work arrangements with competitive compensation, appealing to those seeking to optimize their work-life balance while achieving desirable pay.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21,405 | $10.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24,973 | $12.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $29,461 | $14.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45,664 | $21.96 |
Median Salary Position
2.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,259 (2026 est.). At $29,461, the local median is 2.93% below the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Joliet median: $29,461/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $29,639 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -2.93% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Joliet, IL earn a median of $29,461 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.93% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $29,639.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet 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.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $29,461 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $30,341 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$26,271
2025 BLS Actual
$28,793
2026 Current Est.
$29,461
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Joliet (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $26,271 | Actual |
| 2022 | $26,563 | Actual |
| 2023 | $27,464 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,237 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,793 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29,461 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30,144 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $26,271 (2021) to $28,793 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $30,144 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,873 (14.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $21,405 – $24,973 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $24,973 – $29,461 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $29,461 – $37,710 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $37,710 – $45,664 |
MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
More salary data for Joliet, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Joliet, IL in 2026?
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Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Joliet?
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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 $28,793 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Joliet 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 Joliet 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