Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Palmdale, CA: $34,856 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Palmdale, CA earns a median $34,856/year (≈ $16.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Palmdale's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $30,819 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

The forecast for medical billing and coding specialists in Palmdale, CA projects a median annual salary of $34,856 in 2026. This figure reflects a significant 14.85% increase over the national median of $30,349. Local salaries for this field range widely, from $25,296 for entry-level positions (P10) to as high as $54,027 for seasoned professionals (P90). These estimates incorporate data derived from 2025 BLS state-level figures, adjusted for regional cost of living differences. In Palmdale, the healthcare market presents promising opportunities, particularly for specialists in inpatient coding and those with advanced certifications such as CCS, given the complexity and demand in this area.
About the Palmdale Market
Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25,296 | $12.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29,551 | $14.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $34,856 | $16.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,616 | $21.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,027 | $25.98 |
Median Salary Position
14.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palmdale
In Palmdale, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,731 (2026 est.). At $34,856, the local median is 14.85% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Palmdale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Palmdale Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Palmdale median: $34,856/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Palmdale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,067 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | +14.85% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Palmdale, CA earn a median of $34,856 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.85% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 0.60% below the California state average of $35,067.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Palmdale has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Palmdale, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $34,856 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $30,819 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$31,082
2025 BLS Actual
$34,066
2026 Current Est.
$34,856
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Palmdale (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,082 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,428 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,494 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,171 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,066 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,856 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,665 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Palmdale metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $31,082 (2021) to $34,066 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,665 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,583 (14.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palmdale 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) | $25,296 – $29,551 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $29,551 – $34,856 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $34,856 – $44,616 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,616 – $54,027 |
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 Palmdale
Exploring the local employment scene reveals that there are 29 medical billing and coding specialists currently employed in Palmdale. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, residents face an above-average cost for essentials, affecting overall purchasing power. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay are typically situated within hospital inpatient coding departments, physician group practice coding offices, and specialized consulting firms, while the trend towards remote work also opens up opportunities with third-party coding companies. The disparity in salaries often hinges on factors like specialty focus—those proficient in inpatient CCS coding generally earn more compared to outpatient CPC coders—credential stacking, and performance bonuses linked to productivity. For medical coding professionals looking to maximize their earnings in Palmdale, pursuing niche certifications, staying updated with coding systems like ICD-10-CM, and actively seeking roles that offer remote work flexibility can prove beneficial.
More salary data for Palmdale, 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 $34,066 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Palmdale 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 Palmdale 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