Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Modesto, CA: $28,628 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Modesto, CA earns a median $28,628/year (≈ $13.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Modesto's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.1), that paycheck buys what $27,498 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.4% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Modesto, California, can expect a median annual salary of $28,628, which is notably lower than the national median of $30,349, reflecting a deficit of 5.67%. The salary range for those professionals varies significantly, with the lower end at $23,673 (P10) and the upper end reaching $47,174 (P90). These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicate a competitive landscape within the local healthcare market. Notably, those specializing in inpatient coding (CCS) typically command higher salaries compared to their outpatient counterparts (CPC) or those involved in HCC and risk adjustment roles, highlighting the variation in specialty focus.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,673 | $11.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27,044 | $13.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $28,628 | $13.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37,602 | $18.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,174 | $22.68 |
Median Salary Position
5.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Modesto
In Modesto, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,501 (2026 est.). At $28,628, the local median is 5.67% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Modesto: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Modesto Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Modesto median: $28,628/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Modesto Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,083 | -18.40% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -5.67% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Modesto, CA earn a median of $28,628 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.67% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 18.40% below the California state average of $35,083.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Modesto has a cost of living 4.11% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Modesto, CA has a cost-of-living index of 104.108 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $28,628 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $27,498 — a 3.95% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$47,000
2025 BLS Actual
$27,979
2026 Current Est.
$28,628
2021–2027 Growth
+-37.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Modesto (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $27,979 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,628 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29,292 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Modesto metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -40.5% from $47,000 (2021) to $27,979 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $29,292 by 2027 — a total increase of $-17,708 (-37.68%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Modesto 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) | $23,673 – $27,044 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $27,044 – $28,628 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $28,628 – $37,602 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $37,602 – $47,174 |
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 Modesto
With 210 medical billing and coding specialists currently employed in Modesto, the job market presents a steady demand for skilled professionals. However, the cost of living in the area, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 104.108, can impact the purchasing power of these salaries. Employers that tend to pay the highest, such as physician group practices and hospitals with inpatient coding departments, are prime targets for those seeking better compensation. The salary variation is influenced by factors like specialty credentials, with the trend showing that those who combine multiple certifications, especially in coding audit and compliance roles, can optimize their earnings. Moreover, enhancing income potential could also come from pursuing productivity bonuses or exploring remote work options, which have become an industry standard post-2020. Adapting to the shifts in medical coding, including continuous education on ICD-10-CM updates, can equip professionals in Modesto to navigate this competitive field successfully.
More salary data for Modesto, 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 $27,979 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Modesto 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