Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Chelsea, MA: $34,336 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Chelsea, MA earns a median $34,336/year (≈ $16.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Chelsea's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $31,646 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the context of the expanding remote work standard, the medical billing and coding specialist salary in Chelsea, MA, is set to reach a median annual figure of $34,336 for 2026. This amount not only reflects local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data but also offers a notable increase of 13.14% compared to the national median of $30,349. The salary spectrum for professionals in this field ranges from $25,504 at the 10th percentile to $51,756 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a diverse earning potential. With the job market steadily evolving, Chelsea presents various opportunities for specialists, influenced by factors such as remote work options and evolving coding standards.
About the Chelsea Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25,504 | $12.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29,334 | $14.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $34,336 | $16.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,423 | $20.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,756 | $24.88 |
Median Salary Position
13.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chelsea
In Chelsea, MA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,252 (2026 est.). At $34,336, the local median is 13.14% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chelsea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chelsea Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Chelsea median: $34,336/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chelsea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $34,647 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | +13.14% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Chelsea, MA earn a median of $34,336 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.14% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $34,647.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chelsea has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chelsea, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $34,336 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $31,646 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$30,617
2025 BLS Actual
$33,557
2026 Current Est.
$34,336
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Chelsea (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,617 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,959 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,008 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,503 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,557 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,336 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,132 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chelsea metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $30,617 (2021) to $33,557 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,132 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,515 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chelsea 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) | $25,504 – $29,334 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $29,334 – $34,336 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $34,336 – $42,423 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,423 – $51,756 |
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 Chelsea
Evaluating the local job market reveals that only six medical billing and coding specialists are currently employed in Chelsea. This limited yet sector-specific workforce indicates a potentially competitive landscape, especially when considering the area's cost-of-living index of 108.5, which is above the national average. Consequently, take-home pay may be affected, motivating professionals to explore employers who provide higher compensation. Physician group practices and payer/insurance companies often offer the most favorable salaries within the market. The pay disparity can largely be attributed to the complexity of coding specialties, such as the premium for inpatient CCS certifications versus outpatient CPC roles, alongside lucrative productivity bonuses tied to remote coding efficiency. Cultivating a credential portfolio that includes multiple certifications from AAPC or AHIMA, as well as staying abreast of ICD-10-CM updates, can significantly enhance one's earning potential within Chelsea's medical billing and coding landscape.
More salary data for Chelsea, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Chelsea?
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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 $33,557 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Chelsea 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
Salary data for Chelsea 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