Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Alameda, CA: $16.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Alameda, CA runs $16.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,068 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Alameda's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $14.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,444 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Medical billing and coding specialists in Alameda, California, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $16.38, which surpasses the national hourly median of $14.59. This competitive pay highlights the area’s demand for skilled professionals, especially as healthcare facilities increasingly seek remote workers, which has become the norm since 2020. Typical work settings for these specialists include home offices, hospital Health Information Management (HIM) departments, and various coding environments, such as physician group practices and third-party coding operations. For entry-level positions, hourly pay starts at approximately $12.06, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $25.39 per hour, reflecting a wide range of opportunities depending on experience and specific employer needs. This hourly structure provides flexibility for part-time and per diem workers, who can capitalize on this lucrative pay scale while managing other commitments.
About the Alameda Market
Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $12.06 | $96.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.97 | $111.73 |
| Median (P50) | $16.38 | $131.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.97 | $167.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.39 | $203.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Alameda
Based on $16.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.38/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Alameda, CA can expect to earn approximately $34,073 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,658. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Alameda.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Alameda
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $655.26 | $2,839 | $34,073 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $393.15 | $1,704 | $20,444 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $262.10 | $1,136 | $13,629 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Alameda) | $16.38 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Alameda, CA earn a median of $34,068 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.25% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 2.90% below the California state average of $35,086.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.38/hr = $20,444/year (purchasing power: $18,076).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $34,073/year (purchasing power: $30,127).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$14.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.38/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Alameda (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Alameda grew 9.6% from $14.61/hr (2021) to $16.01/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.76/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical billing and coding specialists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alameda 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Alameda
For those considering part-time work, a 24-hour schedule over three days a week would yield an annual income significantly lower than full-time colleagues, yet it can still offer competitive returns. In the realm of per diem or agency medical billing and coding specialists, earnings can vary widely, with hourly rates ranging from $25 to $42. Specialized coders, such as Certified Coding Specialists (CCS) for inpatient coding, can achieve rates of $35 to $55 per hour, whereas those navigating risk adjustment for Medicare Advantage may find themselves in the $40 to $65 range. Hourly pay can also differ based on the type of employer, with physician offices, hospitals, and consulting firms offering varied compensation packages. While some medical billing and coding specialists may opt for higher hourly pay without benefits, others might prefer the stability of lower rates that include health insurance. Negotiation tips for those in Alameda include emphasizing local cost of living factors and relevant certifications from recognized bodies such as AAPC or AHIMA.
More salary data for Alameda, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Alameda in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical billing and coding specialists in Alameda. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Alameda 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