Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Ithaca, NY: $33,726 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Ithaca, NY earns a median $33,726/year (≈ $16.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Ithaca's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $32,643 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.2% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for a medical billing and coding specialist in Ithaca, New York, is projected to reach $33,726, reflecting a competitive advantage over the national median of $30,349. This figure is part of a broader salary range extending from $23,115 at the 10th percentile to $44,770 at the 90th percentile. These statistics, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, suggest that specialists in this region can expect varied compensation influenced by practice settings and specialties. Those working in inpatient coding may command higher salaries compared to their counterparts focused on outpatient or risk adjustment coding, highlighting the importance of specialization in this line of work.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,115 | $11.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,741 | $13.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $33,726 | $16.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,770 | $21.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44,770 | $21.53 |
Median Salary Position
11.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ithaca
In Ithaca, NY, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,655 (2026 est.). At $33,726, the local median is 11.13% above the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in Ithaca: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ithaca Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Ithaca median: $33,726/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ithaca Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $30,604 | +10.20% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +11.13% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Ithaca, NY earn a median of $33,726 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.13% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 10.20% above the New York state average of $30,604.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ithaca has a cost of living 3.32% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ithaca, NY has a cost-of-living index of 103.317 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $33,726 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $32,643 — a 3.21% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$47,000
2025 BLS Actual
$32,961
2026 Current Est.
$33,726
2021–2027 Growth
+-26.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Ithaca (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,236 | Actual |
| 2025 | $32,961 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33,726 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34,508 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ithaca metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -29.9% from $47,000 (2021) to $32,961 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $34,508 by 2027 — a total increase of $-12,492 (-26.58%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ithaca 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) | $23,115 – $28,741 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,741 – $33,726 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $33,726 – $44,770 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,770 – $44,770 |
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 Ithaca
The job market for medical billing and coding specialists in Ithaca includes approximately 110 professionals. The area's cost of living index at 103.317 indicates that while salaries are relatively higher, it is essential for coders to be mindful of their purchasing power in light of local living expenses. Employers such as physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments tend to offer the most lucrative opportunities. Variations in pay stem from various factors, including specialty focus, credential stacking, and compliance oversight roles, contributing to the disparity between lower and higher salaries in the sector. To enhance earning potential in Ithaca, medical coders should pursue advanced certifications and consider diversifying their skill sets in areas such as risk adjustment coding, which is experiencing notable growth. Additionally, seeking remote positions can provide flexibility and access to broader job markets.
More salary data for Ithaca, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $32,961 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Ithaca 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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