Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Hawthorne, CA: $16.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Hawthorne, CA runs $16.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,661 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Hawthorne's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $14.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,802 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Hawthorne, California, can expect an hourly median pay of $16.67, considerably higher than the national median of $14.59. This difference indicates a robust job market for these professionals in the city, particularly beneficial for those seeking part-time opportunities. By working three days per week, a medical coding specialist can effectively balance work and personal commitments while still earning a competitive wage. The hourly pay in Hawthorne ranges from $11.40 for entry-level positions to $25.76 for experienced coders, allowing room for growth and specialization in areas like risk adjustment coding. As a result, roles can be found in various settings, including remote offices, hospital departments, and third-party coding agencies, making this profession adaptable to diverse lifestyles.
About the Hawthorne 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) | $11.40 | $91.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.55 | $116.40 |
| Median (P50) | $16.67 | $133.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.79 | $166.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.76 | $206.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hawthorne
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 Hawthorne, 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 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Hawthorne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hawthorne
| 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 (Hawthorne) | $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 Hawthorne, CA earn a median of $34,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.21% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 1.20% below the California state average of $35,082.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.67/hr = $20,802/year (purchasing power: $18,392).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $34,669/year (purchasing power: $30,654).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$14.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.67/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Hawthorne (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.46/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 Hawthorne grew 9.6% from $14.86/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 Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne
Considering the potential for part-time medical billing and coding specialists in Hawthorne, working 24 hours per week can lead to an annual income of approximately $25,997, which illustrates a practical earning pathway compared to full-time positions. For those opting for per-diem or contract work, rates can vary significantly, with per diem medical billing and coding specialists billing between $25 and $42 per hour, while specialized coders such as CCS inpatient professionals earn between $35 and $55 per hour. Different employer types in Hawthorne provide varied compensation: physician groups may offer more stable employment with benefits, while third-party coding firms often pay higher hourly rates without benefits. Healthcare professionals must weigh the advantages of steady income versus potentially higher pay rates when negotiating their salaries, especially in a competitive environment like Hawthorne, with the added context of continuous learning requirements to keep up with ICD-10-CM and CPT updates in the evolving coding landscape.
More salary data for Hawthorne, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Hawthorne in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Hawthorne?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Hawthorne paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Hawthorne?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Hawthorne?
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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 Hawthorne. 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 Hawthorne 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