Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Berkeley, CA: $16.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Berkeley, CA runs $16.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $35,210 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Berkeley's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $14.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,121 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Berkeley, medical billing and coding specialists can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $16.92, which exceeds the national hourly median of $14.59. This rate is reflective of various employment scenarios in the city, particularly as many professionals now operate from remote home offices, a trend that has been firmly established since 2020. Those working part-time, such as on a 3-day workweek, can take home a comparable daily income, though their overall annual earnings will naturally be lower than those in full-time positions. The hourly pay range in Berkeley spans from $12.50 for entry-level roles up to $26.23 for more experienced coders, highlighting the opportunities for those who advance in their skills within specialized areas such as risk adjustment coding or hospital auditing.
About the Berkeley 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) | $12.50 | $100.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.55 | $116.40 |
| Median (P50) | $16.92 | $135.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.24 | $169.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.23 | $209.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Berkeley
Based on $16.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.92/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Berkeley, CA can expect to earn approximately $35,201 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,308. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Berkeley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Berkeley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $676.95 | $2,933 | $35,201 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $406.17 | $1,760 | $21,121 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $270.78 | $1,173 | $14,081 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Berkeley) | $16.92 |
| 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 Berkeley, CA earn a median of $35,210 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.02% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 0.40% above the California state average of $35,070.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.92/hr = $21,121/year (purchasing power: $18,674).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,201/year (purchasing power: $31,124).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$15.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.92/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Berkeley (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Berkeley grew 9.6% from $15.09/hr (2021) to $16.54/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.32/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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley
Analyzing further, a medical billing and coding specialist working 24 hours a week at the median rate would likely earn around $26,600 annually, compared to full-time individuals who can make significantly more. Per diem opportunities in Berkeley present another avenue for income, where independent medical coders can typically charge $25 to $42 per hour, and specialists like Certified Coding Specialists (CCS) may average $35 to $55 per hour. Variability in hourly wages can stem from the type of employer, as coding positions in hospital settings or insurance company audit teams tend to offer higher compensation than those at outpatient facilities. Many professionals face the decision to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for company benefits—such as health insurance—while others may prefer the flexibility and higher pay of freelance opportunities. For those seeking to negotiate their pay, it's advisable to research industry standards and to emphasize specialized certifications, particularly from recognized organizations like AAPC or AHIMA, to bolster bargaining power in Berkeley's competitive job market.
More salary data for Berkeley, 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
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 Berkeley. 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 Berkeley 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