Medical Billing Salary

Gurnee vs Rockford: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

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

Gurnee, IL
$29,222
$14.05/hr
Rockford, IL
$29,537
$14.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGurnee, ILRockford, IL
Median Salary$29,222$29,537
Hourly Rate$14.05$14.20
Entry Level (P10)$21,470$22,314
25th Percentile$24,769$23,454
75th Percentile$35,892$36,278
Top Earner (P90)$43,806$41,904
Total Employed8120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gurnee ($29,222) and Rockford ($29,537) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.GurneeRockfordMedian Salary$29,222$29,537Entry Level (P10)$21,470$22,314Top Earner (P90)$43,806$41,904US Median $30,349

Verdict

Rockford, IL offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Gurnee.

The salary gap between Gurnee and Rockford is $315 (1.08%). Rockford's median is -2.68% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gurnee spans $22,336,Rockford spans $19,590. Gurnee has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gurnee
P10 (Entry)$21,470
P25$24,769
Median$29,222
P75$35,892
P90 (Top)$43,806
Rockford
P10 (Entry)$22,314
P25$23,454
Median$29,537
P75$36,278
P90 (Top)$41,904

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rockford ($32,052 effective) pays 6.50% more than Gurnee ($30,095 effective).

Gurnee
Nominal: $29,222
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $30,095
Rockford
Nominal: $29,537
CoL Index: 92.154
Adjusted: $32,052

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gurnee if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($43,806)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Rockford if…

  • Higher median salary ($29,537/year)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $32,052)
  • 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 Gurnee grew -40.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -38.1% growth in Rockford over the same period.

Gurnee, IL

+-40.3%

$47,845 (2024) → $28,559 (2025)

Rockford, IL

+-38.1%

$46,660 (2021) → $28,867 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Gurnee or Rockford?

Rockford has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $29,537/year, compared to Gurnee at $29,222/year — a difference of $315 (1.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gurnee and Rockford?

Gurnee medical billing and coding specialists earn $14.05/hr while Rockford hygienists earn $14.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gurnee to Rockford as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gurnee and Rockford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gurnee = $30,095, Rockford = $32,052), job availability (8 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Gurnee vs Rockford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $21,470 in Gurnee and $22,314 in Rockford. The Rockford 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