Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $35,079 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $35,079/year (≈ $16.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $30,889 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical billing and coding specialist salary in Los Angeles CA is projected to reach a median annual figure of $35,079. This salary reflects a notable increase over the national median of $30,349, indicating a competitive local market for these professionals. The compensation range spans from $24,753 at the 10th percentile to $60,111 at the 90th percentile, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. Credential stacking plays a significant role in enhancing lifetime earnings in this field, where obtaining certifications like the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC) can lead to higher pay brackets. Los Angeles's diverse healthcare landscape, coupled with the growing trend of remote work, suggests ample opportunities for advancement and specialization within the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24,753 | $11.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,427 | $13.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,079 | $16.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,850 | $23.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,111 | $28.91 |
Median Salary Position
15.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,358 (2026 est.). At $35,079, the local median is 15.59% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Angeles Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $35,079/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $30,349 | +15.59% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $35,079 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.59% higher than the national median of $30,349.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $35,079 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $30,889 — a 11.94% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$48,810
2025 BLS Actual
$34,284
2026 Current Est.
$35,079
2021–2027 Growth
+-26.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Los Angeles (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $48,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,284 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,079 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,893 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -29.8% from $48,810 (2021) to $34,284 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,893 by 2027 — a total increase of $-12,917 (-26.46%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $24,753 – $28,427 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,427 – $35,079 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,079 – $47,850 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,850 – $60,111 |
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 Los Angeles
With approximately 7,240 medical billing and coding specialists currently working in Los Angeles, the local job market remains strong, offering varied employment options across physician group practices, hospital departments, and third-party coding companies. However, the cost of living in the area, with a higher index of 113.566, can impact take-home purchasing power. Those pursuing employment in sectors such as hospital inpatient coding or consulting firms may find better compensation against the backdrop of this cost of living. The wide salary range can often be attributed to factors like specialization in inpatient coding (CCS), credential stacking, productivity bonuses, and the nature of the work environment—whether remote or in-office. For aspiring medical billing and coding specialists looking to maximize their pay in this competitive market, focusing on niche skills like risk adjustment coding, building a robust certification portfolio, and seeking positions in higher-paying sectors can significantly enhance their earnings potential in Los Angeles.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?
Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Los Angeles?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in Los Angeles?
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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 $34,284 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Los Angeles 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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