Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Lake Elsinore, CA: $16.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Lake Elsinore, CA runs $16.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,972 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Lake Elsinore's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $14.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,980 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Lake Elsinore, the hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist stands at a median of $16.81, which is notably higher than the national median of $14.59. This hourly rate can significantly impact the earnings of part-time professionals working three days a week, typically resulting in about $1,070 per month before taxes, which is often an attractive option for those balancing personal and professional commitments. The pay range for medical billing and coding specialists in the region varies widely, with entry-level positions earning around $11.75 per hour and top earners reaching up to $26.06. Given the shift to remote work settings in recent years, many specialists find opportunities not only in traditional hospital HIM departments and physician offices but also in virtual environments, where flexibility can enhance work-life balance while still providing competitive wages.
About the Lake Elsinore 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) | $11.75 | $93.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.85 | $110.83 |
| Median (P50) | $16.81 | $134.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.81 | $166.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.06 | $208.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Elsinore
Based on $16.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.81/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Elsinore, CA can expect to earn approximately $34,967 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,173. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lake Elsinore.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Elsinore
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $672.45 | $2,914 | $34,967 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $403.47 | $1,748 | $20,980 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $268.98 | $1,166 | $13,987 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Lake Elsinore) | $16.81 |
| 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 Lake Elsinore, CA earn a median of $34,972 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.23% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 0.30% below the California state average of $35,077.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.81/hr = $20,980/year (purchasing power: $18,550).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $34,967/year (purchasing power: $30,917).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$14.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.81/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Lake Elsinore (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Lake Elsinore grew 9.6% from $14.99/hr (2021) to $16.43/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.20/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 Lake Elsinore 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 Lake Elsinore
For part-time medical billing and coding specialists in Lake Elsinore working a 24-hour week, this translates into an annual income of approximately $12,840, reflecting a lifestyle choice that prioritizes flexibility over full-time commitments. In contrast, those who accept per-diem positions can see a substantial increase in their hourly pay, billing anywhere from $25 to $42 per hour, with CCS inpatient coders and CRC risk adjustment specialists often earning directly between $35 and $65 when working on a 1099 basis. Variability in hourly rates is also influenced by the type of employer, with physician practices, hospital coding departments, and third-party companies often presenting different compensation structures. Balancing lower hourly rates with health benefits is a common consideration, leading some specialists to accept roles that offer more stability at a trade-off for potentially higher pay elsewhere. For those in the Lake Elsinore area, effective negotiation for hourly pay can make a significant difference, especially in a growing field where coding proficiency in areas like ICD-10-CM is increasingly in demand.
More salary data for Lake Elsinore, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Lake Elsinore in 2026?
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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 Lake Elsinore. 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 Lake Elsinore 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