Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Huntington Beach, CA: $16.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Huntington Beach, CA runs $16.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $35,202 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Huntington Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $14.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,121 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Huntington Beach, medical billing and coding specialists earn a median hourly rate of $16.92, significantly higher than the national median of $14.59. This compensation allows for diverse working arrangements, including part-time schedules, which are often appealing to professionals seeking flexibility. For instance, those working three days a week can balance career and personal commitments while earning a competitive wage. Entry-level professionals might earn around $12.54 per hour, while those at the top of the pay scale can earn as much as $26.23 per hour, reflecting a broad range of opportunities within the local job market. Working environments vary from remote setups, which have become more common since 2020, to traditional office settings in hospitals and clinics, catering to various personal preferences.
About the Huntington Beach 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) | $12.54 | $100.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.54 | $116.32 |
| Median (P50) | $16.92 | $135.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.24 | $169.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.23 | $209.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntington Beach
Based on $16.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.92/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntington Beach, CA can expect to earn approximately $35,201 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,308. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Huntington Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntington Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $676.95 | $2,933 | $35,201 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $406.17 | $1,760 | $21,121 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $270.78 | $1,173 | $14,081 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Huntington Beach) | $16.92 |
| 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 Huntington Beach, CA earn a median of $35,202 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.99% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 0.40% above the California state average of $35,062.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.92/hr = $21,121/year (purchasing power: $18,674).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,201/year (purchasing power: $31,124).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$15.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.92/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Huntington Beach (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Huntington Beach grew 9.6% from $15.09/hr (2021) to $16.54/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.32/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 Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach
Part-time medical billing and coding specialists in Huntington Beach have the potential to earn around $35,856 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts who could make nearly double that. Per diem roles can offer even more flexibility, with many professionals billing between $25 and $42 per hour, depending on their specific coding expertise. For instance, certified coders (CCS) specializing in inpatient coding might command rates as high as $35 to $55 per hour. The diversity of employer types—ranging from physician practices to insurance company audit teams—creates varied pay scales, which often reflect the demand for certain skills in the industry. Additionally, specialists might accept lower hourly wages for positions that provide health insurance and other benefits. This highlights the necessity for savvy negotiation strategies for hourly workers in the Huntington Beach market, especially when considering the balance of benefits versus hourly pay rate. Understanding local market conditions can be key to securing favorable terms in contracts or employment offers.
More salary data for Huntington Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Huntington Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Huntington Beach?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Huntington Beach paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Huntington Beach?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Huntington Beach?
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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 Huntington Beach. 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 Huntington Beach 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