Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Whittier, CA: $17.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Whittier, CA runs $17.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $35,594 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Whittier's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $15.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,351 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Whittier, CA, medical billing and coding specialists can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $17.11, which is significantly higher than the national median of $14.59. This robust hourly pay offers attractive options for part-time workers, particularly those taking on positions in various healthcare settings, including remote home offices, hospital HIM departments, and physician group coding cubicles. For professionals who operate as per-diem workers, there is a significant opportunity to explore flexible schedules while benefiting from a competitive pay scale that ranges from $12.44 at the entry level to as much as $26.52 for the top earners. These figures reflect the changing dynamics of the field as demand for coding specialists continues to grow, especially with the shift toward remote work since 2020.
About the Whittier 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) | $12.44 | $99.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.10 | $112.80 |
| Median (P50) | $17.11 | $136.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.55 | $172.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.52 | $212.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Whittier
Based on $17.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.11/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Whittier, CA can expect to earn approximately $35,584 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,529. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Whittier.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Whittier
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $684.32 | $2,965 | $35,584 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $410.59 | $1,779 | $21,351 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $273.73 | $1,186 | $14,234 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Whittier) | $17.11 |
| 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 Whittier, CA earn a median of $35,594 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.28% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 1.50% above the California state average of $35,068.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.11/hr = $21,351/year (purchasing power: $18,878).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,584/year (purchasing power: $31,463).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$15.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.11/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Whittier (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Whittier grew 9.6% from $15.26/hr (2021) to $16.72/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.50/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 Whittier 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 Whittier
Examining the potential income for a part-time medical billing and coding specialist in Whittier reveals that working 24 hours over three days a week can yield a substantial annual income. Unlike their full-time counterparts, part-time workers need to effectively manage their schedules to maximize earnings while balancing work-life considerations. For those in agency or locum tenens positions, per diem medical billing and coding specialist pay in Whittier often varies, with rates soaring between $25 and $42 per hour for independent contractors. More specialized roles, like CCS inpatient coding, can command even higher rates, reaching $35 to $55 hourly. Moreover, hourly rates can differ notably depending on the employer type—physician offices may offer lower pay compared to consulting firms seeking skilled coders. While some coders might trade higher hourly pay for benefits like health insurance, effectively negotiating offers is essential in this competitive market, especially for those looking to leverage certifications from AAPC or AHIMA.
More salary data for Whittier, 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 Whittier. 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 Whittier 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