Medical Billing Salary

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Alhambra, CA: $34,566 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Alhambra, CA earns a median $34,566/year (≈ $16.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Alhambra's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $30,562 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the California state average.

$34,566
Median Annual Salary
$16.62/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$26,258
Entry Level (P10)
$53,577
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Alhambra, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Alhambra, CA medical billing and coding specialist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Alhambra, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $34,566, which is notably higher than the national median of $30,349. The local salary range varies significantly, from $26,258 at the 10th percentile to $53,577 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost considerations, reflect the competitive nature of the healthcare reimbursement landscape in Alhambra. With the uptick in remote work standards post-2020, there's a wide geographic compensation scope, allowing professionals in this field greater flexibility in their job search and potential earnings than in prior years.

About the Alhambra Market

Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$26,258$12.63
Lower Range (P25)$30,074$14.46
Median (P50)(typical)$34,566$16.62
Upper Range (P75)$43,008$20.68
Top Earners (P90)$53,577$25.75

Median Salary Position

$26,258$53,577
City Median: $34,566
National: $30,349
P10–P90 Range

13.90% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alhambra

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Alhambra. The median salary is $34,566, compared to the national median of $30,349.$23.6K$31.8K$39.9K$48.1K$56.3K$26.3K10th Pctl$30.1K25th Pctl$34.6KMedian$43.0K75th Pctl$53.6K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

In Alhambra, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,319 (2026 est.). At $34,566, the local median is 13.9% above the national median of $30,349.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical billing and coding specialist pay in the Alhambra metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$665
per week
$2,880
per month
$34,563
per year

At 40 hours/week in Alhambra: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Alhambra Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares

Alhambra median: $34,566/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryAlhambra Pays
California Average$35,092-1.50% less
National Average$30,349+13.90% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in Alhambra ($34,566) with California average ($35,092) and the US national median ($30,349).Alhambra$34,566California Avg$35,092-1.50%US National$30,349+13.90%

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Alhambra, CA earn a median of $34,566 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.90% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 1.50% below the California state average of $35,092.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$34,566
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$30,562
Adjusted Salary

Alhambra has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $34,566. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $30,562, a loss of $4,004.$25.8K$29.3K$32.8K$36.3K$39.8K$34,566NominalSalary$30,562CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $30.3K

Alhambra, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $34,566 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $30,562 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2021 BLS Actual

$30,823

2025 BLS Actual

$33,782

2026 Current Est.

$34,566

2021–2027 Growth

+14.7%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Alhambra (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Alhambra. Baseline $30,823 in 2025, projected to $35,368 by 2027.$22.3K$37.2K$52.2K$67.1K$82.1K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$30.8K$31.2K$32.2K$73.6K$33.8K$34.6K$35.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$30,823Actual
2022$31,166Actual
2023$32,223Actual
2024$73,554Actual
2025$33,782Actual
2026(current)$34,566Estimated
2027$35,368Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alhambra metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $30,823 (2021) to $33,782 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,368 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,545 (14.75%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alhambra metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$26,258$30,074
3-5 years (Mid Career)$30,074$34,566
5+ years (Experienced)$34,566$43,008
10+ years (Top Earner)$43,008$53,577

MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in Alhambra

Currently, there are 13 medical billing and coding specialists employed in Alhambra, highlighting a niche but stable job market. The area's cost of living index of 113.1 indicates that living expenses are above the national average, which can affect take-home pay and purchasing power for professionals. Among local employers, physician group practices and third-party coding companies often offer some of the most competitive pay, particularly for those with advanced credentials or specialties in areas like inpatient coding or risk adjustment. Factors such as credential stacking—having multiple certifications like CPC and CCS—and productivity-based compensation can significantly drive earnings. For those seeking to maximize their medical billing and coding specialist pay in Alhambra, focusing on continuous education through programs from AAPC and AHIMA, especially in high-demand areas such as HCC coding, could lead to enhanced career opportunities and salary growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Alhambra, CA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Alhambra is $34,566/year ($16.62/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $26,258 at entry level (10th percentile) to $53,577 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Alhambra at 13.9% above the national median. Full-time medical billing and coding specialists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Alhambra, CA a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Alhambra medical billing and coding specialist salaries are 13.9% above the national average and 1.5% below the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 13 medical billing and coding specialists. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Alhambra?

The median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Alhambra is $34,566, and the 90th percentile earns $53,577. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in Alhambra?

After adjusting for Alhambra's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $34,566 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $30,562 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Alhambra reduce the effective value of your salary by 11.6% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in Alhambra?

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Alhambra earn a median hourly rate of $16.62, which translates to approximately $34,566/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $12.63 for entry-level positions to $25.75 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem medical billing and coding specialists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in California

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

Methodology & Data Source

Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $33,782 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Alhambra metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Alhambra is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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