Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Redding, CA: $22,884 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Redding, CA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $22,884 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Redding's local price level (BEA RPP 100.7 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $22,729 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($35,387) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source

Starting a career as a medical billing and coding specialist in Redding, CA, can be promising, with the entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary projected at $22,884 in 2026. This initial pay can feel quite low compared to the city’s median salary of $35,387, highlighting the gap many new graduates may encounter as they enter the workforce. However, those starting salaries can improve significantly as professionals gain experience, advancing towards the P25 figure of $27,252 within a few years. With an annual growth rate of 2.32%, early-career coders in Redding can expect a steady increase in their earning potential, making it a decent market for recent graduates considering the industry's evolution toward remote work and increased demand for skilled professionals.
Career Earnings Timeline in Redding
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Redding
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Redding, CA typically start between $22,884 and $27,252 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $47,161 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $35,387 — 16.6% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in California of $5,500 represents just 24.03% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($22,884/year) in Redding. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AHIMA/CAHIIM-accredited coding and health information certificate programs plus AAPC-approved training courses. Certificates at community colleges and online training programs are the most affordable; associate degree programs cost more but broaden career options. Exam fees (CCA, CCS, CPC) are typically $299-$499 and are separate from tuition.
MBS Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Redding
- 1Research the Redding market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $22,884 to $27,252, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical billing and coding field — employers in CA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Redding, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Redding for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Redding's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Compensation Range
The medical billing and coding specialist wage spread in Redding is $47,161 ( 206.09%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $22,884, experienced hygienists can earn up to $70,045.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$30,110
2025 BLS Actual
$22,365
2026 Current Est.
$22,884
2021–2027 Growth
+-22.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Redding (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $22,365 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22,884 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23,415 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Redding, CA grew -25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,110 in 2021 to $22,365 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $23,415. New graduates entering the Redding job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redding 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.
Starting Your medical billing and coding Career in Redding
In Redding, various employers actively recruit new graduates in the medical billing and coding field, including third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams that often seek out CPC-A (apprentice) coders for structured mentorship. For those looking to secure their first position, entry roles are typically available in physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). It’s essential to pursue relevant credentials such as the AAPC's CPC or CPC-A, which can enhance starting pay in California's competitive job market. Continuing education, including proficiency in ICD-10-CM and staying current with quarterly CPT updates, is vital given the shift to about 80% remote work since 2020. Those who specialize in risk adjustment and Hierarchical Condition Categories (HCC) coding, particularly for Medicare Advantage and ACA marketplace plans, are positioned well for growth in their first few years, as this segment grows rapidly. As early-career specialists continue to develop competencies and gain industry experience, they can realistically expect to see their salaries increase significantly over their first three years in Redding.
More salary data for Redding, CA:
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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical billing and coding graduates. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Redding. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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