Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Brentwood, CA: $16.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Brentwood, CA runs $16.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,991 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Brentwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $14.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,993 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brentwood, the hourly pay for medical billing and coding specialists is projected to reach $16.82 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $14.59. This rate provides a solid foundation for those considering part-time or per-diem positions, which are increasingly common in this field. A medical billing and coding specialist working three days a week could expect to earn around $1,606 per month before taxes, translating to approximately $19,272 per year if working 24 hours weekly. Brentwood offers a range of hourly pay, starting from $11.77 at the lower end up to $26.07 for top earners, reflecting the diversity of settings such as hospital HIM departments and remote coding positions. As the industry continues to adapt, many specialists find flexibility in the variety of work environments — from home offices to third-party coding companies.
About the Brentwood 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) | $11.77 | $94.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.87 | $111.00 |
| Median (P50) | $16.82 | $134.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.18 | $169.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.07 | $208.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brentwood
Based on $16.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.82/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brentwood, CA can expect to earn approximately $34,989 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,186. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Brentwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brentwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $672.86 | $2,916 | $34,989 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $403.71 | $1,749 | $20,993 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $269.14 | $1,166 | $13,995 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Brentwood) | $16.82 |
| 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 Brentwood, CA earn a median of $34,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.30% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 0.30% below the California state average of $35,097.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.82/hr = $20,993/year (purchasing power: $18,562).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $34,989/year (purchasing power: $30,936).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$15.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.82/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Brentwood (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Brentwood grew 9.6% from $15.00/hr (2021) to $16.44/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.21/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 Brentwood 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 Brentwood
Analyzing the earning potential in Brentwood reveals intriguing dynamics. For part-time specialists, income might be sufficient for supplemental income or transitioning into full-time work. In contrast, per-diem medical billing and coding specialists often charge rates ranging from $25 to $42 per hour for contract work, with CCS inpatient coders earning between $35 and $55 per hour. This variation in pay exists across different types of employers such as physician groups, hospital coding departments, and consulting firms, offering choices based on preference for stability versus higher pay. Many professionals weigh the decision between accepting lower hourly wages with benefits versus maximizing earnings without health coverage. Understanding these nuances can empower specialists to negotiate effectively, ensuring that they position themselves favorably in the evolving medical coding landscape in CA.
More salary data for Brentwood, 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 Brentwood. 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 Brentwood 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