Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in East Orange, NJ: $20,557 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in East Orange, NJ earns a median $20,557/year (≈ $9.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in East Orange's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $17,845 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $20,557 for medical billing and coding specialists, job seekers in East Orange, NJ may find their earnings significantly lower than the national median of $30,349. Of course, salaries can vary widely in this field, with a range from $14,916 to $31,863 based on factors such as experience, credentials, and the specific type of coding performed. The pathway through credential stacking—from obtaining a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) designation to advancing to a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) or a Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)—can enhance lifetime earnings potential. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlight the particular challenges of the East Orange job market, which offers limited scope for salary growth when compared to national counterparts.
About the East Orange Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14,916 | $7.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16,910 | $8.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $20,557 | $9.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25,837 | $12.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31,863 | $15.32 |
Median Salary Position
32.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in East Orange
In East Orange, NJ, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,947 (2026 est.). At $20,557, the local median is 32.26% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in East Orange: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How East Orange Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
East Orange median: $20,557/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | East Orange Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $20,273 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | -32.26% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in East Orange, NJ earn a median of $20,557 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.26% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.40% above the New Jersey state average of $20,273.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
East Orange has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
East Orange, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $20,557 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $17,845 — a 13.19% reduction.
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
$18,331
2025 BLS Actual
$20,091
2026 Current Est.
$20,557
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in East Orange (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18,331 | Actual |
| 2022 | $18,535 | Actual |
| 2023 | $19,164 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,074 | Actual |
| 2025 | $20,091 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20,557 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21,034 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the East Orange metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $18,331 (2021) to $20,091 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $21,034 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,703 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Orange 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) | $14,916 – $16,910 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $16,910 – $20,557 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $20,557 – $25,837 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $25,837 – $31,863 |
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 East Orange
In East Orange, there are currently nine medical billing and coding specialists employed, providing a modest but stable job market. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, residents face increased living expenses that can impact take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments tend to offer more competitive salaries. The disparity between lower and higher pay in the area can be influenced by various factors such as coding specialties—where inpatient CCS coding may command higher rates than outpatient CPC coding—and the added value of credential stacking. The highest compensation packages may also include productivity bonuses based on chart coding volume and compliance audit demands. To maximize earning potential in East Orange, professionals should consider obtaining multiple credentials and staying updated on ICD-10-CM coding protocols, particularly as risk adjustment coding continues to expand in response to healthcare market needs.
More salary data for East Orange, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in East Orange, NJ in 2026?
Is East Orange, NJ a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?
Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in East Orange?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in East Orange?
How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in East Orange?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $20,091 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the East Orange 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 East Orange 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