Medical Billing Salary

Rochester vs Rome: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Rochester, NY and Rome, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Rochester, NY
$29,085
$13.98/hr
Rome, NY
$28,266
$13.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRochester, NYRome, NY
Median Salary$29,085$28,266
Hourly Rate$13.98$13.59
Entry Level (P10)$23,032$21,879
25th Percentile$28,172$24,780
75th Percentile$36,539$34,453
Top Earner (P90)$41,637$43,680
Total Employed5006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rochester ($29,085) and Rome ($28,266) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.RochesterRomeMedian Salary$29,085$28,266Entry Level (P10)$23,032$21,879Top Earner (P90)$41,637$43,680US Median $30,349

Verdict

Rochester, NY offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rome.

The salary gap between Rochester and Rome is $819 (2.90%). Rochester's median is -4.16% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rochester spans $18,605,Rome spans $21,801. Rome has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical billing and coding specialists.

Rochester
P10 (Entry)$23,032
P25$28,172
Median$29,085
P75$36,539
P90 (Top)$41,637
Rome
P10 (Entry)$21,879
P25$24,780
Median$28,266
P75$34,453
P90 (Top)$43,680

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($29,974 effective) pays 22.90% more than Rome ($24,388 effective).

Rochester
Nominal: $29,085
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $29,974
Rome
Nominal: $28,266
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $24,388

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($29,085/year)
  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $29,974)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Rome if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($43,680)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Rochester grew -39.9% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -57.2% growth in Rome over the same period.

Rochester, NY

+-39.9%

$47,270 (2021) → $28,426 (2025)

Rome, NY

+-57.2%

$64,540 (2024) → $27,625 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Rochester or Rome?

Rochester has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $29,085/year, compared to Rome at $28,266/year — a difference of $819 (2.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rochester and Rome?

Rochester medical billing and coding specialists earn $13.98/hr while Rome hygienists earn $13.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rochester to Rome as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rochester and Rome. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rochester = $29,974, Rome = $24,388), job availability (500 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Rochester vs Rome?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $23,032 in Rochester and $21,879 in Rome. The Rochester 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