Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Philadelphia, PA: $29,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Philadelphia, PA earns a median $29,495/year (≈ $14.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Philadelphia's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $28,760 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Philadelphia are expected to earn a median annual salary of $29,495, which is slightly lower than the national median of $30,349. The salary range for specialists in this field will vary significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $22,776 and the upper echelon seeing figures as high as $49,643. This data is drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, underscoring the structured pay gradient based on specialty. In particular, inpatient coding positions, which typically require the Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) credential, tend to command higher salaries compared to outpatient coding roles that often seek the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) certification. As demand for specialized skills grows, the nuances between these different coding avenues will affect overall compensation in Philadelphia's job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,776 | $10.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26,468 | $12.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $29,495 | $14.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38,788 | $18.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,643 | $23.87 |
Median Salary Position
2.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, PA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,867 (2026 est.). At $29,495, the local median is 2.81% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Philadelphia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Philadelphia Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Philadelphia median: $29,495/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Philadelphia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $28,279 | +4.30% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | -2.81% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $29,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.81% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 4.30% above the Pennsylvania state average of $28,279.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Philadelphia has a cost of living 2.55% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Philadelphia, PA has a cost-of-living index of 102.554 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $29,495 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $28,760 — a 2.49% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$49,020
2025 BLS Actual
$28,826
2026 Current Est.
$29,495
2021–2027 Growth
+-38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Philadelphia (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $49,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,826 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30,179 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -41.2% from $49,020 (2021) to $28,826 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $30,179 by 2027 — a total increase of $-18,841 (-38.44%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Philadelphia 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) | $22,776 – $26,468 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $26,468 – $29,495 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $29,495 – $38,788 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $38,788 – $49,643 |
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 Philadelphia
The job market for medical billing and coding specialists is robust in Philadelphia, with around 3,260 professionals currently working in this sector. However, the cost of living in the city, reflected by a Cost of Living Index of 102.554, indicates that take-home pay might stretch further in lower-cost areas. Among employers, physician group practices, hospital inpatient coding departments, and payer organizations typically offer the most competitive salaries, while work-from-home positions with third-party coding companies are also appealing for their flexibility. In this market, the disparity in salaries can often be attributed to factors like specialty certifications—such as obtaining both CPC and CCS credentials—and additional skills in risk adjustment coding, which are increasingly in demand. To enhance earning potential, specialists should focus on gaining diverse certifications and consider roles that provide productivity bonuses, reflecting the nuances of coding requirements for various healthcare entities in Philadelphia, PA.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
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 $28,826 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Philadelphia 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