Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Richmond, CA: $17.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Richmond, CA runs $17.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $35,743 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $15.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,440 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Richmond, CA, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $17.18, significantly higher than the national median of $14.59. This competitive compensation reflects the growing demand for professionals skilled in navigating complex medical coding systems such as ICD-10-CM and CPT. For part-time workers operating three days a week, this translates to useful supplemental income across various settings, from remote home offices to hospital departments. Entry-level coders may begin at around $11.75 per hour, while top earners can reach up to $26.63 per hour, demonstrating a wide spectrum of earning potential based on experience, certifications, and work environments.
About the Richmond 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) | $14.06 | $112.47 |
| Median (P50) | $17.18 | $137.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.88 | $175.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.63 | $213.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $17.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.18/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, CA can expect to earn approximately $35,733 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,615. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $687.18 | $2,978 | $35,733 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $412.31 | $1,787 | $21,440 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $274.87 | $1,191 | $14,293 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Richmond) | $17.18 |
| 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 Richmond, CA earn a median of $35,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.77% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 1.90% above the California state average of $35,077.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.18/hr = $21,440/year (purchasing power: $18,957).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,733/year (purchasing power: $31,595).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$15.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.18/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Richmond (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Richmond grew 9.6% from $15.32/hr (2021) to $16.79/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.58/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Part-time medical billing and coding specialists working a typical 24-hour week could take home approximately $35,993 annually if they earn the median hourly rate. This figure is significantly lower than the full-time potential, yet many embrace the flexibility that part-time work offers. Per diem medical billing and coding specialist pay in Richmond varies considerably; freelance coders may charge between $25 to $42 for their expertise, while those with CCS certifications or specialized in risk adjustment coding for Medicare can earn as much as $40 to $65 per hour. Variability in hourly pay exists across employers, with coding offices in physician groups, third-party companies, and insurance providers potentially offering different compensation packages. Additionally, the choice between higher hourly wages without benefits versus lower rates with health coverage can impact decision-making for many specialists. Candidates should approach negotiations with a clear understanding of this trade-off, leveraging knowledge about local demand and competitive rates to advocate effectively for their worth.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 Richmond. 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 Richmond 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