Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Garden Grove, CA: $35,873 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Garden Grove, CA earns a median $35,873/year (≈ $17.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Garden Grove's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $31,718 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $35,873 in 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Garden Grove, California, are earning significantly more than their counterparts nationally. The local salary range stretches from $24,728 at the 10th percentile to $55,604 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust market for this profession. Recent trends, particularly accelerated by the shift to remote work, have broadened the geographic landscape for employment opportunities, impacting compensation packages across the board. These figures are derived from state-level data and reflect regional cost adjustments, providing a realistic perspective on the financial prospects for those considering a career in this field within Garden Grove.
About the Garden Grove Market
Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24,728 | $11.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29,506 | $14.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,873 | $17.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,827 | $22.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,604 | $26.74 |
Median Salary Position
18.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden Grove
In Garden Grove, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,876 (2026 est.). At $35,873, the local median is 18.2% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garden Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Garden Grove Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Garden Grove median: $35,873/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garden Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,067 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +18.20% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Garden Grove, CA earn a median of $35,873 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.20% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 2.30% above the California state average of $35,067.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garden Grove has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Garden Grove, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $35,873 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $31,718 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$31,989
2025 BLS Actual
$35,060
2026 Current Est.
$35,873
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Garden Grove (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,989 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,345 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,442 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,336 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,873 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,706 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garden Grove metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $31,989 (2021) to $35,060 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,706 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,717 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden Grove 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) | $24,728 – $29,506 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $29,506 – $35,873 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,873 – $45,827 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,827 – $55,604 |
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 Garden Grove
The local job market currently supports 37 medical billing and coding specialists, a figure underscoring the relatively small but focused demand for these professionals in Garden Grove. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries may appear competitive, purchasing power needs to be carefully evaluated against local expenses. Employers in the area, including physician group practices and hospital coding departments, often offer higher wages, especially for specialists with advanced credentials such as CCS or CRC. Factors contributing to the wage spectrum also include the specific coding specialty, credential stacking, and additional roles such as compliance audits that can command higher hourly rates. For those looking to maximize their earning potential, targeting roles within outpatient settings and pursuing continuous education through recognized organizations such as AAPC or AHIMA are wise strategies amidst a growing demand for risk adjustment and HCC coding skill sets.
More salary data for Garden Grove, 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 $35,060 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Garden Grove 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 Garden Grove 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