Medical Billing Salary

Los Angeles vs Thousand Oaks: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$35,079
$16.86/hr
Thousand Oaks, CA
$34,264
$16.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAThousand Oaks, CA
Median Salary$35,079$34,264
Hourly Rate$16.86$16.47
Entry Level (P10)$24,753$25,553
25th Percentile$28,427$29,543
75th Percentile$47,850$43,857
Top Earner (P90)$60,111$53,109
Total Employed7,24032
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($35,079) and Thousand Oaks ($34,264) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.Los AngelesThousand OaksMedian Salary$35,079$34,264Entry Level (P10)$24,753$25,553Top Earner (P90)$60,111$53,109US 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 Thousand Oaks.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Thousand Oaks is $815 (2.38%). 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,Thousand Oaks spans $27,556. 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
Thousand Oaks
P10 (Entry)$25,553
P25$29,543
Median$34,264
P75$43,857
P90 (Top)$53,109

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($30,889 effective) pays 1.96% more than Thousand Oaks ($30,295 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $35,079
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $30,889
Thousand Oaks
Nominal: $34,264
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $30,295

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 Thousand Oaks 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 -55.4% growth in Thousand Oaks over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+-29.8%

$48,810 (2021) → $34,284 (2025)

Thousand Oaks, CA

+-55.4%

$75,088 (2024) → $33,487 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Los Angeles or Thousand Oaks?

Los Angeles has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $35,079/year, compared to Thousand Oaks at $34,264/year — a difference of $815 (2.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Thousand Oaks?

Los Angeles medical billing and coding specialists earn $16.86/hr while Thousand Oaks hygienists earn $16.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Thousand Oaks as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Thousand Oaks. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $30,889, Thousand Oaks = $30,295), job availability (7,240 vs 32 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $24,753 in Los Angeles and $25,553 in Thousand Oaks. The Thousand Oaks 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