Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in San Diego, CA: $17.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in San Diego, CA runs $17.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $36,485 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against San Diego's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.9, 12% above national), each hour of work buys what $15.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,887 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Diego, the median hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist is projected to be $17.54 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $14.59. This attractive hourly rate opens up various opportunities for part-time workers, especially those who might choose to work three days a week, potentially earning a stable income while maintaining flexibility. For per-diem or freelance coders, typical rates range considerably, influenced by workspace settings, which include remote home offices or bustling hospital departments. Entry-level roles often start around $12.59, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $28.51 per hour, reflecting a competitive environment for those navigating the field of medical billing and coding in CA, according to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $12.59 | $100.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.03 | $112.22 |
| Median (P50) | $17.54 | $140.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.64 | $173.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.51 | $228.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Diego
Based on $17.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.54/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Diego, CA can expect to earn approximately $36,478 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,045. With a cost-of-living index of 111.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Diego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Diego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $701.51 | $3,040 | $36,478 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $420.90 | $1,824 | $21,887 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $280.60 | $1,216 | $14,591 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (San Diego) | $17.54 |
| 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 San Diego, CA earn a median of $36,485 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.22% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 4.00% above the California state average of $35,082.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.54/hr = $21,887/year (purchasing power: $19,562).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $36,478/year (purchasing power: $32,603).
CoL index: 111.887 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$23.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.54/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-22.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in San Diego (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in San Diego grew -26.0% from $23.17/hr (2021) to $17.14/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.94/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 San Diego 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 San Diego
Examining the potential income for part-time medical billing and coding specialists reveals that working 24 hours a week could yield over $27,000 annually. For those working per diem or as independent contractors, billing hourly rates can vary dramatically—from $25 to $42 for general coders, while specialized positions, like CCS inpatient coders, can attract $35 to $55 per hour. Differences across employer types in San Diego also affect rates; for instance, a coding role in a physician group practice may offer lower hourly pay compared to third-party coding companies, but provide greater job stability and insurance benefits. Negotiating hourly wages can be crucial—specialists may forfeit some pay for consistent benefits. Understanding the intricacies of employer offering and market demands can empower medical billing and coding specialists to optimize their earnings in this vibrant area.
More salary data for San Diego, 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 San Diego. 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