Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Salinas, CA: $34,349 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Salinas, CA earns a median $34,349/year (≈ $16.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Salinas's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.0), that paycheck buys what $31,501 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salinas, CA, medical billing and coding specialists can expect a median annual salary of $34,349, which is notably higher than the projected national median of $30,349 for 2026. The salary range varies significantly based on experience, with entry-level positions starting around $26,486 and seasoned coders earning up to $48,765. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected for 2026, highlighting the opportunities present within this local job market. As individuals progress through their careers by stacking credentials—starting with the CPC, advancing to CCS, and potentially specializing in CRC—they can substantially increase their lifetime earnings. Salinas's healthcare industry is poised for continued growth, making it a viable location for those pursuing a career in medical billing and coding.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26,486 | $12.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29,791 | $14.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $34,349 | $16.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37,358 | $17.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,765 | $23.45 |
Median Salary Position
13.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salinas
In Salinas, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,279 (2026 est.). At $34,349, the local median is 13.18% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salinas: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salinas Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Salinas median: $34,349/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salinas Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,086 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | +13.18% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Salinas, CA earn a median of $34,349 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.18% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 2.10% below the California state average of $35,086.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salinas has a cost of living 9.04% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salinas, CA has a cost-of-living index of 109.042 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $34,349 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $31,501 — a 8.29% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$50,210
2025 BLS Actual
$33,570
2026 Current Est.
$34,349
2021–2027 Growth
+-30.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Salinas (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $50,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,349 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,146 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salinas metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -33.1% from $50,210 (2021) to $33,570 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,146 by 2027 — a total increase of $-15,064 (-30.00%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salinas 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) | $26,486 – $29,791 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $29,791 – $34,349 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $34,349 – $37,358 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $37,358 – $48,765 |
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 Salinas
The local job market consists of approximately 190 medical billing and coding specialists, indicating a stable demand in the area. However, the cost of living in Salinas, with an index of 109.042, means that take-home pay may be impacted when compared to the national average. Among the various employers, physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments tend to offer higher salaries. The pay range is influenced by factors such as specialty experience—where inpatient CCS expertise typically commands higher wages over outpatient CPC roles—as well as the demand for risk adjustment coding professionals. Additionally, those with multiple credentials often capitalize on the premium that comes from audit and compliance subspecialties, while productivity bonuses can provide extra income for remote coding roles. To maximize earnings, it’s advisable for coders in Salinas to continuously pursue education, maintain up-to-date skills on ICD-10-CM and CPT coding updates, and consider specializing in high-demand areas like risk adjustment.
More salary data for Salinas, 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 $33,570 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Salinas 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