Medical Billing Salary

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Paterson, NJ: $20,263 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Paterson, NJ earns a median $20,263/year (≈ $9.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Paterson's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $17,589 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the New Jersey state average.

$20,263
Median Annual Salary
$9.74/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$14,904
Entry Level (P10)
$31,408
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Paterson, NJ — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Paterson, NJ medical billing and coding specialist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

For those considering a career as a medical billing and coding specialist in Paterson, NJ, the 2026 median salary is projected to be $20,263. This figure reflects local estimates that account for regional cost adjustments and presents a salary range from $14,904 at the 10th percentile to $31,408 at the 90th percentile. While the pay in Paterson falls significantly short compared to the national median of $30,349, it remains a viable option for those entering the field or looking to specialize. Understanding that inpatient CCS roles typically command higher pay compared to outpatient CPC positions and risk adjustment coding helps potential professionals gauge where their skills might best fit within the local job market.

About the Paterson Market

Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$14,904$7.16
Lower Range (P25)$17,314$8.33
Median (P50)(typical)$20,263$9.74
Upper Range (P75)$25,937$12.47
Top Earners (P90)$31,408$15.10

Median Salary Position

$14,904$31,408
City Median: $20,263
National: $30,349
P10–P90 Range

33.23% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paterson

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Paterson. The median salary is $20,263, compared to the national median of $30,349.$13.4K$18.3K$23.2K$28.1K$33.0K$14.9K10th Pctl$17.3K25th Pctl$20.3KMedian$25.9K75th Pctl$31.4K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

In Paterson, NJ, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,504 (2026 est.). At $20,263, the local median is 33.23% below the national median of $30,349.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical billing and coding specialist pay in the Paterson metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$390
per week
$1,688
per month
$20,261
per year

At 40 hours/week in Paterson: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Paterson Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares

Paterson median: $20,263/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryPaterson Pays
New Jersey Average$20,284-0.10% less
National Average$30,349-33.23% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in Paterson ($20,263) with New Jersey average ($20,284) and the US national median ($30,349).Paterson$20,263New Jersey Avg$20,284-0.10%US National$30,349-33.23%

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Paterson, NJ earn a median of $20,263 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.23% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 0.10% below the New Jersey state average of $20,284.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$20,263
Nominal Salary
115.2
CoL Index
$17,589
Adjusted Salary

Paterson has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $20,263. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 115.2, the purchasing-power equivalent is $17,589, a loss of $2,674.$15.0K$19.9K$24.9K$29.9K$34.9K$20,263NominalSalary$17,589CoL Adjusted(CoL: 115.2) -13.20%US Median $30.3K

Paterson, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $20,263 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $17,589 — a 13.2% reduction.

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2021 BLS Actual

$18,069

2025 BLS Actual

$19,804

2026 Current Est.

$20,263

2021–2027 Growth

+14.7%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Paterson (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Paterson. Baseline $18,069 in 2025, projected to $20,734 by 2027.$7.9K$25.7K$43.6K$61.4K$79.3K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$18.1K$18.3K$18.9K$69.1K$19.8K$20.3K$20.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$18,069Actual
2022$18,270Actual
2023$18,890Actual
2024$69,071Actual
2025$19,804Actual
2026(current)$20,263Estimated
2027$20,734Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paterson metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $18,069 (2021) to $19,804 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $20,734 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,665 (14.75%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paterson metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$14,904$17,314
3-5 years (Mid Career)$17,314$20,263
5+ years (Experienced)$20,263$25,937
10+ years (Top Earner)$25,937$31,408

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 Paterson

The job market for medical billing and coding specialists in Paterson is relatively stable, with approximately 31 individuals employed in this profession. However, living in an area with a cost-of-living index of 115.2 means that take-home pay may stretch less than desired for many professionals. Employers such as physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments are likely to offer the highest compensation, while remote positions with third-party coding companies provide flexibility that is appealing to many. The variation in pay often stems from specialty areas, with inpatient CCS roles generally yielding more than outpatient CPC or risk adjustment coding. Additionally, those stacking credentials—like CPC with CCS and CRC—may access higher earnings. To maximize pay, it’s advisable for specialists in Paterson to pursue ongoing education and seek positions that offer productivity bonuses or remote options, enhancing both income potential and work-life balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Paterson, NJ in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Paterson is $20,263/year ($9.74/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $14,904 at entry level (10th percentile) to $31,408 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Paterson at 33.2% below the national median. Full-time medical billing and coding specialists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Paterson, NJ a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Paterson medical billing and coding specialist salaries are 33.2% below the national average and 0.1% below the New Jersey state average. The metro area employs approximately 31 medical billing and coding specialists. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Paterson?

The median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Paterson is $20,263, and the 90th percentile earns $31,408. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in Paterson?

After adjusting for Paterson's cost-of-living index of 115.2 (where 100 equals the national average), the $20,263 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $17,589 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Paterson reduce the effective value of your salary by 13.2% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in Paterson?

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Paterson earn a median hourly rate of $9.74, which translates to approximately $20,263/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $7.16 for entry-level positions to $15.10 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem medical billing and coding specialists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in New Jersey

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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 $19,804 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Paterson 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 Paterson is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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