Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in San Clemente, CA: $34,886 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in San Clemente, CA earns a median $34,886/year (≈ $16.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in San Clemente's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $30,845 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a medical billing and coding specialist in San Clemente, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $34,886, which reflects a healthy 14.95% increase compared to the national median of $30,349. The salary range for professionals in this field varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting at $24,188 and top earners reaching up to $54,073. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parities. Though the local salary may be lower than the California average, it highlights a significant opportunity in a job market that is increasingly leaning toward specialties like inpatient CCS work, further distinguishing earning potential across different coding domains.
About the San Clemente Market
Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24,188 | $11.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29,974 | $14.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $34,886 | $16.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,654 | $21.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,073 | $26.00 |
Median Salary Position
14.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Clemente
In San Clemente, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,885 (2026 est.). At $34,886, the local median is 14.95% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Clemente: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Clemente Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
San Clemente median: $34,886/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Clemente Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,097 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | +14.95% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in San Clemente, CA earn a median of $34,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.95% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 0.60% below the California state average of $35,097.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Clemente has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Clemente, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $34,886 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $30,845 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$31,108
2025 BLS Actual
$34,095
2026 Current Est.
$34,886
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in San Clemente (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,108 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,455 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,522 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,234 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,095 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,886 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,695 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Clemente metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $31,108 (2021) to $34,095 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,695 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,587 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Clemente 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) | $24,188 – $29,974 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $29,974 – $34,886 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $34,886 – $44,654 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,654 – $54,073 |
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 San Clemente
With only 10 medical billing and coding specialists currently employed in San Clemente, competition might be modest, but the local demand presents a promising avenue for job seekers. Given the cost of living index of 113.1, which is above the national average, aspiring professionals must consider how effectively their earnings translate into purchasing power. Employers from various sectors, such as third-party coding companies and hospital inpatient departments, are likely to offer the most competitive salaries in this market. Factors driving pay disparities include specialty certifications such as CPC, CCS, or CRC, as well as experience in remote versus in-office environments and the rise of compliance-focused roles. For individuals looking to optimize their pay, stacking credentials and concentrating on high-demand coding areas like risk adjustment can be effective strategies in this vibrant San Clemente job market.
More salary data for San Clemente, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in San Clemente, CA in 2026?
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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 $34,095 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the San Clemente 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 San Clemente 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