Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Pleasanton, CA: $35,400 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Pleasanton, CA earns a median $35,400/year (≈ $17.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Pleasanton's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $31,300 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a career as a medical billing and coding specialist in Pleasanton, California, is projected to offer a median annual salary of $35,400, representing a notable 16.64% increase compared to the national median of $30,349. The salary range for these positions spans from $25,419 at the 10th percentile to $54,869 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse market demand and individual qualifications. Professionals can enhance their earning potential significantly by obtaining credentials such as the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC). Each of these credentials adds distinct advantages to a specialist's career, driving lifelong earning growth in a competitive job market like Pleasanton’s, where the expertise aligns with local healthcare demands.
About the Pleasanton Market
Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25,419 | $12.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29,694 | $14.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,120 | $21.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,869 | $26.38 |
Median Salary Position
16.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pleasanton
In Pleasanton, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,450 (2026 est.). At $35,400, the local median is 16.64% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pleasanton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pleasanton Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Pleasanton median: $35,400/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pleasanton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,084 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +16.64% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Pleasanton, CA earn a median of $35,400 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.64% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 0.90% above the California state average of $35,084.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pleasanton has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pleasanton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $35,400 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $31,300 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$31,566
2025 BLS Actual
$34,597
2026 Current Est.
$35,400
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Pleasanton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,566 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,918 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,327 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,597 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,400 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,221 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pleasanton metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $31,566 (2021) to $34,597 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,221 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,655 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pleasanton 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) | $25,419 – $29,694 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $29,694 – $35,400 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,400 – $45,120 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,120 – $54,869 |
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 Pleasanton
Pleasanton’s job market for medical billing and coding specialists is relatively small, with only 16 professionals currently employed in this field. However, the cost of living index is 113.1, indicating a higher-than-average economic environment that can impact take-home earnings. Local employers who typically offer competitive compensation include physician group practices, hospital inpatient coding departments, and third-party coding companies that offer remote work options. The variation in pay within the Pleasanton area can be attributed to several factors, including specialty focus, credential stacking, and productivity-based bonuses. For specialists aiming to maximize their pay, pursuing advanced certifications and considering opportunities in compliance or audit roles can be particularly beneficial, especially in high-demand areas like risk adjustment coding.
More salary data for Pleasanton, 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 $34,597 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Pleasanton 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 Pleasanton 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