Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Rockford, IL: $29,537 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Rockford, IL earns a median $29,537/year (≈ $14.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $32,052 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical billing and coding specialist salary in Rockford, IL, is projected to be $29,537, which is slightly below the national median of $30,349. The salary range for this role spans from $22,314 at the lower end (P10) to $41,904 for the highest earners (P90). These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The relatively modest salary trajectory reflects Rockford's economic context, where the cost of living index stands at 92.154, indicating a generally lower-than-average living expense compared to the national norm. This salary landscape suggests that while opportunities exist, demand for skilled coding professionals remains tethered to the local economic conditions, a factor particularly significant in light of the recent shifts toward remote work.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,314 | $10.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,454 | $11.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $29,537 | $14.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36,278 | $17.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41,904 | $20.15 |
Median Salary Position
2.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,590 (2026 est.). At $29,537, the local median is 2.68% below the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockford Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Rockford median: $29,537/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $29,655 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -2.68% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Rockford, IL earn a median of $29,537 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.68% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 0.40% below the Illinois state average of $29,655.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford has a cost of living 7.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.154 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $29,537 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $32,052 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$46,660
2025 BLS Actual
$28,867
2026 Current Est.
$29,537
2021–2027 Growth
+-35.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Rockford (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,867 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29,537 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30,222 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -38.1% from $46,660 (2021) to $28,867 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $30,222 by 2027 — a total increase of $-16,438 (-35.23%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $22,314 – $23,454 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,454 – $29,537 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $29,537 – $36,278 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $36,278 – $41,904 |
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 Rockford
In Rockford, approximately 120 medical billing and coding specialists are currently employed, and this figure highlights a stable job market for these professionals. The lower cost of living in the area can enhance take-home purchasing power, making it crucial for specialists to navigate their pay scales effectively. Employers offering competitive compensation include physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments, with higher salaries often linked to specialized qualifications such as inpatient CCS or risk adjustment CRC certification. Differences in pay result from various factors, including credential stacking, audit and compliance roles, and the choice between remote versus in-office positions. For those looking to maximize their medical billing and coding specialist pay in Rockford, investing in additional credentials from reputable bodies such as AAPC or AHIMA, pursuing specialized roles in high-demand areas like risk adjustment, and considering remote work opportunities can significantly enhance earning potential in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 $28,867 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Rockford 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