Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Oakland, CA: $45,158 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Oakland, CA earns a median $45,158/year (≈ $21.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Oakland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $39,927 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 28.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the medical billing and coding specialist salary in Oakland, California, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $45,158, significantly outpacing the national average of $30,349 by approximately 48.80%. The local salary spectrum varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting around $31,119 and experienced specialists earning up to $69,995. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price differentials, reflect the growing demand in healthcare and the impact of the pandemic on the workforce's flexibility, including a notable shift toward remote and hybrid job models. This evolving landscape greatly influences the compensation of medical billing and coding specialists, making Oakland an attractive market for professionals in this field.
About the Oakland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,119 | $14.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,149 | $17.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,158 | $21.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,803 | $27.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,995 | $33.65 |
Median Salary Position
48.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oakland
In Oakland, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,876 (2026 est.). At $45,158, the local median is 48.8% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oakland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oakland Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Oakland median: $45,158/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oakland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,088 | +28.70% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +48.80% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Oakland, CA earn a median of $45,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 48.80% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 28.70% above the California state average of $35,088.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oakland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oakland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $45,158 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $39,927 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$40,268
2025 BLS Actual
$44,134
2026 Current Est.
$45,158
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Oakland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $40,268 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,717 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,097 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,162 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,134 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,158 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,206 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oakland metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $40,268 (2021) to $44,134 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,206 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,938 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oakland 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) | $31,119 – $37,149 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,149 – $45,158 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,158 – $57,803 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,803 – $69,995 |
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 Oakland
The job market for medical billing and coding specialists in Oakland is solid, with 78 currently employed in the area. Despite the median annual pay being competitive, the higher cost of living, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 113.1, affects overall purchasing power. Employers that typically offer the highest compensation include physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments, while remote positions in third-party coding companies also present lucrative opportunities. The variance in salary arises from factors such as specialty areas—like inpatient coding and risk adjustment—and credential stacking, where certifications like CPC, CCS, and CRC can command premium rates. Productivity bonuses incentivize accuracy and efficiency, rewarding those who can excel in a results-oriented environment. Aspiring specialists and those currently in the field should focus on continuous education and consider pursuing additional credentials from organizations like AAPC or AHIMA to maximize their earning potential in Oakland, CA.
More salary data for Oakland, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Oakland?
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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 $44,134 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Oakland 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 Oakland 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