Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in East Orange, NJ: $9.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in East Orange, NJ runs $9.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $20,557 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against East Orange's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $8.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $12,335 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In East Orange, New Jersey, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected to be $9.88 in 2026, a figure considerably lower than the national median hourly rate of $14.59. This disparity suggests limited earning potential for professionals in this area, particularly for those working part-time, such as three days a week in various settings like remote home offices or in hospital health information management (HIM) departments. The hourly wage range starts around $7.17 for entry-level positions and can reach up to $15.32 for the more experienced coders. These figures reflect hourly rates estimated from annual salary data and underscore the economic conditions specific to East Orange, where the cost of living index is notably above the national average.
About the East Orange Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $7.17 | $57.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $8.13 | $65.08 |
| Median (P50) | $9.88 | $79.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $12.42 | $99.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $15.32 | $122.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in East Orange
Based on $9.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $9.88/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in East Orange, NJ can expect to earn approximately $20,559 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $11,861. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in East Orange.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in East Orange
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $395.36 | $1,713 | $20,559 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $237.22 | $1,028 | $12,335 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $158.15 | $685 | $8,224 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (East Orange) | $9.88 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in East Orange, NJ earn a median of $20,557 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.26% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.40% above the New Jersey state average of $20,273.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $9.88/hr = $12,335/year (purchasing power: $10,708).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $20,559/year (purchasing power: $17,846).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$8.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$9.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$9.88/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in East Orange (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $8.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $8.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $9.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $9.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $9.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $10.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in East Orange grew 9.6% from $8.81/hr (2021) to $9.66/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $10.11/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical billing and coding specialists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the East Orange 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in East Orange
Part-time medical billing and coding specialists working 24 hours per week in East Orange could expect to earn approximately $20,557 annually, considerably less than full-time earnings but still viable for supplemental income. For those considering per-diem work, the compensation can range dramatically; self-employed medical coders often charge $25-$42 per hour, while specialists with certifications such as CCS can command between $35-$55 per hour. The rates can vary significantly based on the employer type; those working in physician group practices or hospital coding departments typically earn less, while third-party coding companies and consulting firms may offer higher payments. Many professionals choose the stability of lower hourly rates that include health insurance over the potential of higher rates without benefits. Negotiation is key in this competitive environment, so specialists should gather market data on the medical billing and coding specialist hourly rate in NJ to bolster their bargaining stance.
More salary data for East Orange, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in East Orange in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical billing and coding specialists in East Orange. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for East Orange is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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