Medical Billing Salary

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.

$34,856
Median Annual Salary
$16.76/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$25,296
Entry Level (P10)
$54,027
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Palmdale, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Palmdale, CA medical billing and coding specialist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileAnnualHourly
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

$25,296$54,027
City Median: $34,856
National: $30,349
P10–P90 Range

14.85% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Palmdale

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Palmdale. The median salary is $34,856, compared to the national median of $30,349.$22.8K$31.3K$39.7K$48.2K$56.7K$25.3K10th Pctl$29.6K25th Pctl$34.9KMedian$44.6K75th Pctl$54.0K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

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.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical billing and coding specialist pay in the Palmdale metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$670
per week
$2,905
per month
$34,861
per year

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 ToMedian SalaryPalmdale Pays
California Average$35,067-0.60% less
National Average$30,349+14.85% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in Palmdale ($34,856) with California average ($35,067) and the US national median ($30,349).Palmdale$34,856California Avg$35,067-0.60%US National$30,349+14.85%

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

$34,856
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$30,819
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.

The nominal salary is $34,856. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $30,819, a loss of $4,037.$25.8K$29.4K$32.9K$36.5K$40.1K$34,856NominalSalary$30,819CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $30.3K

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.

Compare Purchasing Power

Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living

Select a city above to compare purchasing power

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 (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Palmdale. Baseline $31,082 in 2025, projected to $35,665 by 2027.$22.5K$37.5K$52.6K$67.7K$82.8K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$31.1K$31.4K$32.5K$74.2K$34.1K$34.9K$35.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$31,082Actual
2022$31,428Actual
2023$32,494Actual
2024$74,171Actual
2025$34,066Actual
2026(current)$34,856Estimated
2027$35,665Projected

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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Palmdale metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Palmdale, CA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Palmdale is $34,856/year ($16.76/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $25,296 at entry level (10th percentile) to $54,027 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Palmdale at 14.9% above the national median. Full-time medical billing and coding specialists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Palmdale, CA a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Palmdale medical billing and coding specialist salaries are 14.9% above the national average and 0.6% below the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 29 medical billing and coding specialists. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Palmdale?

The median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Palmdale is $34,856, and the 90th percentile earns $54,027. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in Palmdale?

After adjusting for Palmdale's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $34,856 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $30,819 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Palmdale reduce the effective value of your salary by 11.6% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in Palmdale?

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Palmdale earn a median hourly rate of $16.76, which translates to approximately $34,856/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $12.17 for entry-level positions to $25.98 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem medical billing and coding specialists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in California

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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).

View estimation methodology

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

Last verified: