Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Trenton, NJ: $34,770 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Trenton, NJ earns a median $34,770/year (≈ $16.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Trenton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $33,698 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 71.5% above the New Jersey state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Trenton, New Jersey, can expect a median annual salary of $34,770, which marks a notable increase compared to the national median of $30,349. The salary range in Trenton varies significantly from $21,430 at the tenth percentile to $50,219 at the ninetieth percentile, indicating a competitive job market for coders within the region. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. With hospitals and physician practices, particularly those specializing in inpatient coding, potentially offering higher salaries compared to outpatient coding positions, specialists need to consider their areas of expertise and certification status to maximize compensation opportunities in this locale.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21,430 | $10.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,308 | $13.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $34,770 | $16.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,364 | $19.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,219 | $24.15 |
Median Salary Position
14.57% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Trenton
In Trenton, NJ, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,789 (2026 est.). At $34,770, the local median is 14.57% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Trenton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Trenton Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Trenton median: $34,770/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Trenton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $20,274 | +71.50% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +14.57% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Trenton, NJ earn a median of $34,770 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.57% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 71.50% above the New Jersey state average of $20,274.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Trenton has a cost of living 3.18% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Trenton, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 103.18 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $34,770 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $33,698 — a 3.08% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$61,160
2025 BLS Actual
$33,982
2026 Current Est.
$34,770
2021–2027 Growth
+-41.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Trenton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $61,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,982 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,770 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,577 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Trenton metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -44.4% from $61,160 (2021) to $33,982 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,577 by 2027 — a total increase of $-25,583 (-41.83%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Trenton 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) | $21,430 – $28,308 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,308 – $34,770 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $34,770 – $41,364 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,364 – $50,219 |
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 Trenton
Currently, there are 170 medical billing and coding specialists employed in Trenton, NJ, where the cost of living index stands at 103.18, suggesting that expenses are slightly above the national average. This reality impacts take-home earnings, as higher living costs can erode salary advantages. Employers such as hospital inpatient coding departments and third-party coding companies frequently present the highest pay scales. Factors contributing to the difference in salary within Trenton's market include specialty focus, with inpatient CCS positions generally commanding more than risk adjustment or outpatient coding roles. Credential stacking through certifications like CPC, CCS, and CRC can also elevate one's pay potential. Additionally, opportunities for productivity bonuses and remote work options can significantly enhance earnings for professionals adept in the latest coding standards like ICD-10-CM and CPT. Those in the Trenton market should actively pursue continued education and strategic job placements to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Trenton, NJ:
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 $33,982 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Trenton 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