Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Newport Beach, CA: $16.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Newport Beach, CA runs $16.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,316 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Newport Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $14.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,584 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Newport Beach, California, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay holds a median rate of $16.49, surpassing the national hourly median of $14.59. This rate is beneficial for both part-time and per-diem workers, with many opting for the flexibility of remote work environments or consulting roles, especially after the pandemic shifted a significant portion of the industry to telecommuting. For instance, part-time specialists working three days a week can manage a healthy income while maintaining work-life balance, while the overall hourly pay ranges from $12.34 at entry-level positions to approximately $25.57 for those with specialized skills or extensive experience in the sector. Given that these figures are grounded in annual salary estimates, they provide a solid foundation for understanding entry points and potential earnings in diverse settings—from hospital HIM departments to consulting firm client sites.
About the Newport 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) | $12.34 | $98.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.21 | $113.70 |
| Median (P50) | $16.49 | $131.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.02 | $168.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.57 | $204.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Newport Beach
Based on $16.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.49/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Newport Beach, CA can expect to earn approximately $34,307 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,793. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Newport Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Newport Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $659.76 | $2,859 | $34,307 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $395.86 | $1,715 | $20,584 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $263.90 | $1,144 | $13,723 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Newport Beach) | $16.49 |
| 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 Newport Beach, CA earn a median of $34,316 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.07% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 2.20% below the California state average of $35,088.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.49/hr = $20,584/year (purchasing power: $18,200).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $34,307/year (purchasing power: $30,334).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$14.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.49/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Newport Beach (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $16.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Newport Beach grew 9.6% from $14.71/hr (2021) to $16.12/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $16.88/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 Newport 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 Newport Beach
Considering the earning potential for part-time medical billing and coding specialists in Newport Beach, a three-day work week could yield an annual income significantly less than that of full-time colleagues, yet still competitive in the local market. Per-diem roles offer even more dynamic income opportunities; specialists working on a 1099 basis can earn between $25 and $42 per hour, with CCS inpatient coders achieving rates of $35 to $55 per hour. Coding positions within different employer types see variations in pay, as those at third-party coding companies or payer audit teams often command higher hourly rates compared to traditional physician group practices. This reality prompts many specialists to trade off lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance benefits. Effective negotiation strategies in this competitive market might involve showcasing specialized certifications from bodies like the AAPC or AHIMA to justify higher rates. The growth in risk adjustment coding also presents an avenue for newer coders to explore lucrative options while emphasizing continuous learning and adaptation in this evolving field.
More salary data for Newport Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Newport Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Newport Beach?
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How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Newport 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 Newport 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 Newport 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