Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Wheeling, IL: $28,945 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Wheeling, IL earns a median $28,945/year (≈ $13.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Wheeling's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $29,809 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheeling, Illinois, the landscape for medical billing and coding specialists reflects the evolving job market, particularly influenced by the remote work standard that has expanded the geographic compensation possibilities for professionals in this field. The projected median annual salary for 2026 stands at $28,945, with a notable salary range spanning from $22,295 at the 10th percentile to $44,865 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjust for local economic conditions, indicating that while salaries are slightly below the national median of $30,349, there are opportunities for significant earning potential within the local market. With six individuals currently employed in this career in the area, Wheeling offers a compact but vital community for medical billing and coding specialists.
About the Wheeling Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,295 | $10.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25,316 | $12.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $28,945 | $13.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36,957 | $17.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44,865 | $21.57 |
Median Salary Position
4.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wheeling
In Wheeling, IL, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,570 (2026 est.). At $28,945, the local median is 4.63% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wheeling: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wheeling Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Wheeling median: $28,945/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wheeling Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $29,657 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -4.63% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Wheeling, IL earn a median of $28,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.63% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 2.40% below the Illinois state average of $29,657.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wheeling 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.
Wheeling, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $28,945 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $29,809 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.98% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$25,811
2025 BLS Actual
$28,289
2026 Current Est.
$28,945
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Wheeling (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $25,811 | Actual |
| 2022 | $26,098 | Actual |
| 2023 | $26,984 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,393 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,289 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,945 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29,617 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wheeling metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $25,811 (2021) to $28,289 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $29,617 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,806 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wheeling 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) | $22,295 – $25,316 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $25,316 – $28,945 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $28,945 – $36,957 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $36,957 – $44,865 |
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 Wheeling
The cost of living index in Wheeling sits at 97.1, suggesting that while wages for medical billing and coding specialists might be lower than the national average, residents benefit from a relatively affordable environment, which enhances their take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments typically offer the most competitive pay. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors such as specialty—where inpatient certification (CCS) outpaces outpatient coding (CPC)—along with credential stacking and remote work options. For professionals looking to maximize their earnings in Wheeling, acquiring multiple certifications and focusing on high-demand areas like risk adjustment coding can be key strategies. With the shift towards predominantly remote positions, ongoing education and adaptability to coding updates are essential for success in this dynamic field.
More salary data for Wheeling, 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 $28,289 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Wheeling 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 Wheeling 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