Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Long Beach, CA: $35,196 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Long Beach, CA earns a median $35,196/year (≈ $16.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $31,119 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Long Beach, California, the estimated median salary for medical billing and coding specialists stands at $35,196 for 2026, reflecting a 15.97% increase over the national median of $30,349. This role offers a salary range from $23,211 at the lower end (P10) to $54,554 at the higher end (P90). These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, taking into account local market conditions and adjustments for regional cost of living. The shift to remote work has significantly expanded job opportunities beyond geographic boundaries, making Long Beach an attractive locale for professionals in the field.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,211 | $11.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30,214 | $14.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,196 | $16.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,554 | $26.22 |
Median Salary Position
15.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,343 (2026 est.). At $35,196, the local median is 15.97% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Beach Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $35,196/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,091 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +15.97% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $35,196 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.97% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 0.30% above the California state average of $35,091.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $35,196 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $31,119 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$31,385
2025 BLS Actual
$34,398
2026 Current Est.
$35,196
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Long Beach (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,385 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,734 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,811 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,639 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,398 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,196 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,013 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $31,385 (2021) to $34,398 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,013 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,628 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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) | $23,211 – $30,214 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $30,214 – $35,196 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,196 – $45,050 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,050 – $54,554 |
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 Long Beach
The local job market for medical billing and coding specialists is reasonably robust, with 89 individuals currently employed in this sector. However, the cost of living in Long Beach, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 113.1, suggests that salaries may not stretch as far as in areas with lower living costs. Employers who tend to offer higher wages include physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments, with an increasing demand for professionals skilled in risk adjustment and HCC coding as these areas see substantial growth. The substantial salary range in Long Beach can be attributed to various factors including specialty areas, credential stacking, and the evolving nature of remote versus in-office structures. For those looking to maximize their pay, obtaining multiple certifications from recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA, and focusing on high-demand subspecialties will be key strategies to enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Long Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Long Beach, CA in 2026?
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Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Long Beach?
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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 $34,398 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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