Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Chula Vista, CA: $36,527 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Chula Vista, CA earns a median $36,527/year (≈ $17.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Chula Vista's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $32,296 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Chula Vista, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $36,527, which reflects a pay increase of over 20% compared to the national median of $30,349. Salaries for this profession in Chula Vista range from $23,827 at the 10th percentile to $56,617 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variance based on factors such as specialty and experience. Positions in inpatient coding (CCS) generally command higher wages compared to those in outpatient coding (CPC) or risk adjustment roles. This salary data, based on 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026 and adjusted for local economic conditions, highlights a competitive job market for medical billing and coding specialists in the region.
About the Chula Vista Market
Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,827 | $11.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,264 | $15.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,527 | $17.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,755 | $22.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,617 | $27.22 |
Median Salary Position
20.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chula Vista
In Chula Vista, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,790 (2026 est.). At $36,527, the local median is 20.36% above the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in Chula Vista: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chula Vista Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Chula Vista median: $36,527/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chula Vista Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,089 | +4.10% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +20.36% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Chula Vista, CA earn a median of $36,527 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.36% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 4.10% above the California state average of $35,089.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chula Vista has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chula Vista, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $36,527 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $32,296 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$32,572
2025 BLS Actual
$35,699
2026 Current Est.
$36,527
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Chula Vista (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $32,572 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,935 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,052 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,975 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,699 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,527 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,375 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chula Vista metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $32,572 (2021) to $35,699 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,375 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,803 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chula Vista 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $23,827 – $31,264 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,264 – $36,527 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,527 – $46,755 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,755 – $56,617 |
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 Chula Vista
In Chula Vista, the job market shows steady strength, with around 51 medical billing and coding specialists currently employed. The cost-of-living index of 113.1 suggests that while salaries are above the national average, the higher living expenses can impact take-home pay. Among local employers, those in hospital inpatient coding departments typically offer the most competitive compensation, followed closely by physician group practices and payer/insurance coding audit teams. Variations in pay stem from several factors, including the level of specialization required, credential stacking, and the structure of remote work opportunities, which have become prevalent post-2020. To maximize earnings in Chula Vista's market, specialists should consider obtaining multiple credentials from recognized organizations like AAPC and AHIMA, and focus on roles that prioritize audits and compliance, as these often come with additional bonuses.
More salary data for Chula Vista, 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
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 $35,699 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Chula Vista 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 Chula Vista 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