Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Carson, CA: $16.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Carson, CA runs $16.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,380 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Carson's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $14.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,623 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Carson, California, medical billing and coding specialists earn a median hourly pay of $16.52, notably higher than the national hourly median of $14.59. This competitive hourly rate reflects the growing demand for skilled professionals in a field that has shifted predominantly to remote work environments since the pandemic. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, this hourly wage translates to approximately $520 for a standard 24-hour work schedule, which can significantly enhance a secondary income or serve as an entry point into the profession. Hourly earnings vary widely, with entry-level positions starting around $12.41, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills can see rates as high as $25.62 per hour, reflecting Carson’s diverse employment options ranging from hospital HIM departments to third-party coding companies.
About the Carson 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) | $12.41 | $99.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.27 | $114.19 |
| Median (P50) | $16.52 | $132.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.46 | $163.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.62 | $204.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carson
Based on $16.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.52/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carson, CA can expect to earn approximately $34,371 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,830. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Carson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $660.99 | $2,864 | $34,371 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $396.59 | $1,719 | $20,623 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $264.39 | $1,146 | $13,749 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Carson) | $16.52 |
| 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 Carson, CA earn a median of $34,380 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.28% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 2.00% below the California state average of $35,081.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.52/hr = $20,623/year (purchasing power: $18,234).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $34,371/year (purchasing power: $30,390).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$14.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.52/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Carson (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Carson grew 9.6% from $14.74/hr (2021) to $16.15/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.91/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 Carson 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 Carson
Examining the financial viability of part-time work for medical billing and coding specialists in Carson reveals some intriguing dynamics. A part-time coding professional earning $16.52 per hour, working 24 hours a week, would take home an annual income close to $40,000, shoring up financial stability without committing to a full-time role. Conversely, per diem and agency coders often command higher hourly rates, frequently billing between $25 and $42 per hour, with specialized roles like CCS inpatient coders earning between $35 and $55 hourly. The differences in pay rates are further influenced by employer types; positions in physician group practices may offer stability with benefits, while coding jobs in consulting firms or remote settings might compensate at higher rates without the same benefits. Negotiating pay can be advantageous in Carson, especially by emphasizing specific skills like risk adjustment coding, which aligns with the increasing demand for Medicare Advantage knowledge, as professionals with such expertise can leverage their qualifications for better hourly rates.
More salary data for Carson, 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 Carson. 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 Carson 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