Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Garden Grove, CA: $17.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Garden Grove, CA runs $17.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $35,873 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Garden Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $15.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,529 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Garden Grove, California, medical billing and coding specialists command a median hourly wage of $17.25, significantly above the national median of $14.59. This pay level offers a vast opportunity for both full-time and part-time workers, making it appealing for those considering flexible schedules like part-time roles at three days per week. The industry is witnessing a shift towards remote work, which has become prevalent in the past few years, allowing professionals to set up their home offices efficiently. The hourly rate for entry-level positions starts at around $11.89, while top earners can make as much as $26.74 per hour. This range reflects the diverse working environments available—from hospital HIM departments to consulting firms and third-party coding companies—that provide various salary prospects depending on the setting.
About the Garden Grove 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) | $11.89 | $95.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.18 | $113.45 |
| Median (P50) | $17.25 | $138.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.03 | $176.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.74 | $213.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garden Grove
Based on $17.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.25/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garden Grove, CA can expect to earn approximately $35,882 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,701. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Garden Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garden Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $690.05 | $2,990 | $35,882 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $414.03 | $1,794 | $21,529 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $276.02 | $1,196 | $14,353 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Garden Grove) | $17.25 |
| 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 Garden Grove, CA earn a median of $35,873 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.20% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 2.30% above the California state average of $35,067.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.25/hr = $21,529/year (purchasing power: $19,036).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,882/year (purchasing power: $31,726).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$15.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.25/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Garden Grove (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Garden Grove grew 9.6% from $15.38/hr (2021) to $16.86/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.65/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 Garden Grove 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 Garden Grove
For those pursuing part-time roles in medical billing and coding, a 24-hour week can translate into significant annual earnings, compared to full-time positions. Per-diem medical billing and coding specialists in Garden Grove often bill at rates ranging from $25 to $42 per hour, depending on their specialization and experience. Professionals focusing on risk adjustment coding, particularly for Medicare Advantage plans, can see rates as high as $40 to $65 per hour. Hourly rates can vary considerably depending on the employer; for example, physician group practices may offer lower rates compared to third-party coding firms that allow remote work flexibility. As specialists weigh options, they may have to trade off higher hourly wages without benefits against lower rates that include health insurance. For the best negotiation outcomes, understanding the unique dynamics of the local job market can help in determining a fair compensation, whether in a full-time position or as a per diem medical billing and coding specialist in Garden Grove.
More salary data for Garden Grove, 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 Garden Grove. 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 Garden Grove 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