Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Brea, CA: $16.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Brea, CA runs $16.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $33,283 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Brea's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $14.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $19,972 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brea, California, the hourly wage for medical billing and coding specialists stands at $16.00, which is notably higher than the national average of $14.59. This competitive hourly rate allows professionals in the field to enjoy flexible work arrangements, whether they choose to work part-time—commonly three days a week—or take on per-diem roles, which are increasingly common in settings such as remote home offices, hospital HIM departments, and third-party coding companies. The pay range for these specialists varies widely, from entry-level positions earning around $12.06 to experienced professionals earning up to $24.80 per hour. Given the constant demand for trained professionals in both healthcare organizations and insurance settings, the hourly rates reflect the growing importance of accuracy and compliance in medical billing and coding.
About the Brea 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) | $13.80 | $110.42 |
| Median (P50) | $16.00 | $128.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.24 | $161.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.80 | $198.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brea
Based on $16.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.00/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brea, CA can expect to earn approximately $33,286 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,203. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Brea.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brea
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $640.11 | $2,774 | $33,286 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $384.07 | $1,664 | $19,972 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $256.05 | $1,110 | $13,314 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Brea) | $16.00 |
| 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 Brea, CA earn a median of $33,283 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.67% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 5.10% below the California state average of $35,071.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.00/hr = $19,972/year (purchasing power: $17,658).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $33,286/year (purchasing power: $29,431).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$14.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$15.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.00/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Brea (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $15.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Brea grew 9.6% from $14.27/hr (2021) to $15.64/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.37/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 Brea 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 Brea
In examining the part-time potential for specialists, those working 24 hours a week can anticipate earnings reflecting substantial income even without full-time hours. By opting for per-diem roles, medical billing and coding specialists can command higher pay rates, often billing $25 to $42 per hour, especially in roles that require advanced certifications such as CCS or CRC. Employment variations, such as working in physician practice coding offices versus third-party coding companies, can significantly influence pay scales. While accepting lower hourly rates may come with the advantage of health insurance benefits, many specialists choose the higher hourly wages that come without such perks. When negotiating pay, familiarity with local market rates, knowledge of specific employer needs, and showcasing up-to-date skills in coding (like ICD-10-CM) are key strategies for securing favorable terms in the competitive Brea job market.
More salary data for Brea, 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 Brea. 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 Brea 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