Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Los Angeles, CA: $16.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Los Angeles, CA runs $16.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $35,079 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Los Angeles's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.6, 14% above national), each hour of work buys what $14.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,044 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist in Los Angeles is projected to reach $16.86, surpassing the national median of $14.59. This higher hourly rate is beneficial for part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week, as it provides a more substantial wage in roles that can vary from remote home offices to hospital coding departments. The comprehensive hourly range for specialists in Los Angeles spans from $11.90 at the entry level to $28.91 for the highest earners. With the growing acceptance of remote work, which now accounts for about 80% of coding positions post-2020, medical billing and coding specialists can find flexible opportunities in various settings, including physician practices, third-party coding firms, and consulting agencies. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.90 | $95.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.67 | $109.36 |
| Median (P50) | $16.86 | $134.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.00 | $184.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.91 | $231.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Angeles
Based on $16.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.86/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Angeles, CA can expect to earn approximately $35,074 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,235. With a cost-of-living index of 113.57 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Los Angeles.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Angeles
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $674.49 | $2,923 | $35,074 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $404.70 | $1,754 | $21,044 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $269.80 | $1,169 | $14,029 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Los Angeles) | $16.86 |
| 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 Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $35,079 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.59% higher than the national median of $30,349.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.86/hr = $21,044/year (purchasing power: $18,530).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,074/year (purchasing power: $30,884).
CoL index: 113.566 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$23.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.86/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-26.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Los Angeles (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $23.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Los Angeles grew -29.8% from $23.46/hr (2021) to $16.48/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.25/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 Los Angeles 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 Los Angeles
Part-time medical billing and coding specialists working 24 hours a week might see their annual earnings translate to approximately $20,000, which can be a favorable option for those balancing other commitments. In contrast, per-diem and agency roles present different earning potential, with medical coders billing rates often ranging from $25 to $42 per hour. Specialized positions, such as Certified Coding Specialists (CCS) or Risk Adjustment Coding, can command even higher pay, sometimes reaching $40 to $65 hourly based on 1099 arrangements. Job opportunities across Los Angeles vary, with hourly pay reflecting employer types; working in a hospital may yield different rates compared to positions in outpatient settings or third-party coding companies. The trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates with health insurance can complicate decision-making. For those negotiating their pay, it's wise to research local industry standards and leverage skills in risk adjustment or ICD-10-CM specialties to secure a better deal.
More salary data for Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles. 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