Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Costa Mesa, CA: $16.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Costa Mesa, CA runs $16.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $35,247 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Costa Mesa's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $14.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,146 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Costa Mesa, California, the projected median hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist is $16.94, significantly surpassing the national median of $14.59. This higher rate provides an attractive compensation structure for both part-time professionals working three days a week and per-diem specialists. Given the typical settings for this role—including remote home offices, hospital health information management departments, and third-party coding environments—the hourly pay translates to varying earning potentials, from entry-level rates starting at $12.12 to experienced coders earning as much as $26.27 per hour. These estimates, rooted in annual salary projections derived from 2025 BLS data, reflect the evolving nature of this profession and its increasing demand, especially in regions like Costa Mesa where the cost of living is above the national average.
About the Costa Mesa 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) | $12.12 | $97.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.22 | $113.78 |
| Median (P50) | $16.94 | $135.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.69 | $173.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.27 | $210.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Costa Mesa
Based on $16.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.94/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Costa Mesa, CA can expect to earn approximately $35,244 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,333. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Costa Mesa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Costa Mesa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $677.77 | $2,937 | $35,244 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $406.66 | $1,762 | $21,146 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $271.11 | $1,175 | $14,098 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Costa Mesa) | $16.94 |
| 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 Costa Mesa, CA earn a median of $35,247 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.14% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 0.50% above the California state average of $35,072.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.94/hr = $21,146/year (purchasing power: $18,697).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,244/year (purchasing power: $31,162).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$15.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.94/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Costa Mesa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Costa Mesa grew 9.6% from $15.11/hr (2021) to $16.56/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.34/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 Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa
When considering part-time opportunities, a medical billing and coding specialist in Costa Mesa working a 24-hour week can bring home an annual equivalent that, while lower than a full-time income, still represents a viable option for those seeking flexibility. For those pursuing per-diem positions, typically billing hourly rates between $25 and $42, the financial landscape shifts considerably compared to traditional employment structures. Locum tenens roles for CCS inpatient coders may even reach $35-$55 per hour. Different employer types also influence earnings; coding positions in hospital settings may offer steadier pay, while roles at consulting firms could yield higher hourly rates without benefits, spurring wage negotiations. This tight balance of pay versus benefits often informs specialists' career choices. Negotiation strategies should focus on highlighting credentials and specialized skills, particularly with the demand for expertise in high-growth areas like risk adjustment coding.
More salary data for Costa Mesa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Costa Mesa in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Costa Mesa?
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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 Costa Mesa. 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 Costa Mesa 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