Medical Billing Salary

Los Angeles vs South Gate: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Los Angeles, CA and South Gate, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$35,079
$16.86/hr
South Gate, CA
$34,554
$16.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CASouth Gate, CA
Median Salary$35,079$34,554
Hourly Rate$16.86$16.62
Entry Level (P10)$24,753$26,091
25th Percentile$28,427$29,294
75th Percentile$47,850$44,230
Top Earner (P90)$60,111$53,559
Total Employed7,24025
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($35,079) and South Gate ($34,554) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.Los AngelesSouth GateMedian Salary$35,079$34,554Entry Level (P10)$24,753$26,091Top Earner (P90)$60,111$53,559US Median $30,349

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to South Gate.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and South Gate is $525 (1.52%). Los Angeles's median is +15.59% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $35,358,South Gate spans $27,468. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$24,753
P25$28,427
Median$35,079
P75$47,850
P90 (Top)$60,111
South Gate
P10 (Entry)$26,091
P25$29,294
Median$34,554
P75$44,230
P90 (Top)$53,559

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($30,889 effective) pays 1.10% more than South Gate ($30,552 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $35,079
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $30,889
South Gate
Nominal: $34,554
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $30,552

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($35,079/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,111)
  • Larger job market (7,240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $30,889)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose South Gate if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Los Angeles grew -29.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -54.1% growth in South Gate over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+-29.8%

$48,810 (2021) → $34,284 (2025)

South Gate, CA

+-54.1%

$73,530 (2024) → $33,771 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Los Angeles or South Gate?

Los Angeles has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $35,079/year, compared to South Gate at $34,554/year — a difference of $525 (1.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and South Gate?

Los Angeles medical billing and coding specialists earn $16.86/hr while South Gate hygienists earn $16.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to South Gate as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and South Gate. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $30,889, South Gate = $30,552), job availability (7,240 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Los Angeles vs South Gate?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $24,753 in Los Angeles and $26,091 in South Gate. The South Gate 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