Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Redwood City, CA: $16.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Redwood City, CA runs $16.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,313 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Redwood City'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 Redwood City, California, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected to be $16.49 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $14.59. This favorable rate offers local professionals a competitive edge, particularly beneficial for part-time workers seeking flexible schedules, often working three days a week in diverse environments such as hospital HIM departments, third-party coding companies, or from remote home offices. With an hourly range stretching from $12.32 (entry-level) to $25.57 (experienced top earners), individuals in this field can find various opportunities that match their skills and lifestyle, including per-diem roles which typically pay higher due to their flexible nature.
About the Redwood City 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) | $12.32 | $98.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.84 | $110.75 |
| 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 Redwood City
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 Redwood City, 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 Redwood City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Redwood City
| 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 (Redwood City) | $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 Redwood City, CA earn a median of $34,313 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.06% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 2.20% below the California state average of $35,085.
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 Redwood City (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 | $35.10/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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City
Examining the earning potential for part-time medical billing and coding specialists reveals that working 24 hours a week can yield an annual income of about $20,780, starkly contrasted with full-time earnings. For those opting for per-diem work, billing rates often resemble the higher end of the spectrum, where professionals could earn between $25 and $42 per hour. In Redwood City, coding specialists working for inpatient departments or consulting firms might command up to $55 per hour, while risk adjustment specialists may even see rates of $40 to $65. Factors such as the type of employer—whether in a physician's practice, hospital, or insurance company—affect hourly rates significantly, with trade-offs between higher pay and the benefits that come with full-time positions. Negotiation strategies are essential in this market; understanding the going rates can empower specialists to secure the best possible arrangements based on their professional needs and lifestyle preferences.
More salary data for Redwood City, 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 Redwood City. 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 Redwood City 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