Medical Billing Salary

Carpentersville vs Chicago: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Carpentersville, IL and Chicago, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carpentersville, IL
$28,914
$13.91/hr
Chicago, IL
$34,403
$16.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarpentersville, ILChicago, IL
Median Salary$28,914$34,403
Hourly Rate$13.91$16.53
Entry Level (P10)$22,247$24,605
25th Percentile$25,248$28,338
75th Percentile$36,856$38,865
Top Earner (P90)$44,816$46,569
Total Employed84,510
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carpentersville ($28,914) and Chicago ($34,403) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.CarpentersvilleChicagoMedian Salary$28,914$34,403Entry Level (P10)$22,247$24,605Top Earner (P90)$44,816$46,569US Median $30,349

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Carpentersville.

The salary gap between Carpentersville and Chicago is $5,489 (18.98%). Chicago's median is +13.36% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carpentersville spans $22,569,Chicago spans $21,964. Carpentersville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Carpentersville
P10 (Entry)$22,247
P25$25,248
Median$28,914
P75$36,856
P90 (Top)$44,816
Chicago
P10 (Entry)$24,605
P25$28,338
Median$34,403
P75$38,865
P90 (Top)$46,569

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chicago ($33,209 effective) pays 11.52% more than Carpentersville ($29,778 effective).

Carpentersville
Nominal: $28,914
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $29,778
Chicago
Nominal: $34,403
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $33,209

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carpentersville if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($34,403/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($46,569)
  • Larger job market (4,510 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $33,209)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Carpentersville grew -40.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -28.3% growth in Chicago over the same period.

Carpentersville, IL

+-40.3%

$47,340 (2024) → $28,258 (2025)

Chicago, IL

+-28.3%

$46,920 (2021) → $33,623 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Carpentersville or Chicago?

Chicago has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $34,403/year, compared to Carpentersville at $28,914/year — a difference of $5,489 (18.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carpentersville and Chicago?

Carpentersville medical billing and coding specialists earn $13.91/hr while Chicago hygienists earn $16.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carpentersville to Chicago as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carpentersville and Chicago. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carpentersville = $29,778, Chicago = $33,209), job availability (8 vs 4,510 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Carpentersville vs Chicago?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $22,247 in Carpentersville and $24,605 in Chicago. The Chicago area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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