Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Fresno, CA: $16.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Fresno, CA runs $16.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,658 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Fresno's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.2, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $16.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,802 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Fresno, California, the projected medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay stands at $16.67. This rate is significantly above the national hourly median of $14.59, providing local professionals with a competitive edge. For part-time workers who might choose to work three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a substantial income relative to many similar occupations. Common work settings include remote home offices, which surged in popularity post-2020, as well as hospital HIM departments and third-party coding companies. Fresno's medical billing and coding professionals can also expect to see entry-level wages beginning at $11.82 per hour, reaching as high as $22.98 for the top earners within the field. This data comes from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics, illustrating the city’s demand for coders.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.82 | $94.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.56 | $108.46 |
| Median (P50) | $16.67 | $133.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.43 | $163.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.98 | $183.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fresno
Based on $16.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.67/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fresno, CA can expect to earn approximately $34,669 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,002. With a cost-of-living index of 102.16 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fresno.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fresno
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $666.72 | $2,889 | $34,669 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $400.03 | $1,733 | $20,802 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $266.69 | $1,156 | $13,868 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Fresno) | $16.67 |
| 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 Fresno, CA earn a median of $34,658 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.20% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 1.20% below the California state average of $35,079.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.67/hr = $20,802/year (purchasing power: $20,362).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $34,669/year (purchasing power: $33,937).
CoL index: 102.158 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$18.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.67/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-6.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Fresno (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Fresno grew -10.5% from $18.20/hr (2021) to $16.29/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.05/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 Fresno 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 Fresno
Exploring the earning potential for part-time medical billing and coding specialists reveals an interesting dynamic. A specialist working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could realistically bring home around $25,000 annually, which is competitive but still lower than full-time earnings. For those pursuing per-diem opportunities, the landscape widens significantly. Many 1099 medical coders in Fresno can charge between $25 and $42 per hour, while certified CCS inpatient coders often command between $35 and $55 per hour. Coding varies notably depending on the employer type, with physician group practices and hospital departments typically offering benefits that might justify lower pay scales compared to higher freelance rates but without attached perks. Negotiating effectively in Fresno means weighing hourly rates against job security and benefits like health insurance, which can be pivotal in decision-making. With the rise of high-demand specialties such as risk adjustment and HCC coding, staying current with training from bodies like AAPC or AHIMA can significantly influence a specialist's salary potential.
More salary data for Fresno, 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 Fresno. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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