Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Tulare, CA: $17.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Tulare, CA runs $17.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $35,442 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Tulare's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $15.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,261 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tulare, California, medical billing and coding specialists can expect a median hourly rate of $17.04, which significantly exceeds the national median of $14.59. This competitive pay reflects the evolving landscape of medical billing, especially following the shift towards remote work arrangements that became prominent after 2020. For those considering part-time positions, like working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a respectable income while allowing for a balanced lifestyle. The hourly range for specialists in this area spans from $12.25 at the entry level to about $26.41 for experienced professionals. Such figures highlight the diverse opportunities within varying work environments, including remote home offices, hospital health information management (HIM) departments, and coding positions in physician group practices or third-party companies, each offering unique advantages and challenges.
About the Tulare 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) | $12.25 | $97.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.31 | $114.52 |
| Median (P50) | $17.04 | $136.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.35 | $170.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.41 | $211.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tulare
Based on $17.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.04/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tulare, CA can expect to earn approximately $35,435 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,444. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tulare.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tulare
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $681.45 | $2,953 | $35,435 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $408.87 | $1,772 | $21,261 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $272.58 | $1,181 | $14,174 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Tulare) | $17.04 |
| 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 Tulare, CA earn a median of $35,442 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.78% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 1.00% above the California state average of $35,091.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.04/hr = $21,261/year (purchasing power: $18,799).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,435/year (purchasing power: $31,331).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$15.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.04/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Tulare (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Tulare grew 9.6% from $15.19/hr (2021) to $16.65/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.43/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 Tulare 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 Tulare
Evaluating the earning potential reveals that a medical billing and coding specialist working 24 hours a week could bring home a different financial picture compared to full-time colleagues. Generally, agencies and per-diem roles offer significant flexibility but come with variable pay that can be appealing; 1099 medical coders may charge between $25 and $42 per hour, whereas CCS inpatient coders can expect $35 to $55 per hour. Hourly rates change depending on employer type in Tulare, with coding positions in physician offices, hospitals, and consulting firms reflecting distinct market demands. While some specialists opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others might prefer the higher rates common in contract roles without health coverage. For those negotiating their hourly pay in Tulare, highlighting relevant credentials such as AAPC or AHIMA certifications and specialized skills in ICD-10-CM, risk adjustment, or HCC coding can lead to better compensation packages.
More salary data for Tulare, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Tulare in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Tulare?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Tulare paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Tulare?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Tulare?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Tulare. 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 Tulare 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