Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in San Francisco, CA: $44,153 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in San Francisco, CA earns a median $44,153/year (≈ $21.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $38,190 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.9% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in San Francisco can expect a median annual salary of $44,153, reflecting a significant 45.48% increase compared to the national average of $30,349. The salary range for this role spans from $29,388 at the 10th percentile to $63,779 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market with varying compensation levels. These insights are derived from the 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, projected forward to 2026. As remote work continues to dominate the landscape, opportunities in San Francisco are not only local but extend beyond geographical limits, allowing specialists to seek attractive positions that offer competitive pay and flexibility.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,388 | $14.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,344 | $16.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,153 | $21.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,500 | $24.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,779 | $30.67 |
Median Salary Position
45.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,391 (2026 est.). At $44,153, the local median is 45.48% above the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Francisco Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $44,153/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,070 | +25.90% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +45.48% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $44,153 per year (2026 est.), which is 45.48% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 25.90% above the California state average of $35,070.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $44,153 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $38,190 — a 13.51% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$61,470
2025 BLS Actual
$43,152
2026 Current Est.
$44,153
2021–2027 Growth
+-26.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in San Francisco (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $61,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,152 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,153 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,177 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -29.8% from $61,470 (2021) to $43,152 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,177 by 2027 — a total increase of $-16,293 (-26.51%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $29,388 – $34,344 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,344 – $44,153 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,153 – $51,500 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,500 – $63,779 |
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 Francisco
The local job market for medical billing and coding specialists remains robust, with approximately 1,880 professionals employed in the area. However, the cost of living index in San Francisco is significantly above the national average at 115.613, which impacts overall purchasing power. Employers such as hospital inpatient coding departments, physician group practices, and third-party coding companies often provide the most lucrative salaries. The variation in pay can be attributed to numerous factors including specialty expertise, such as inpatient CCS coding commanding higher wages than outpatient CPC roles, and credential stacking that boosts earning potential. For those in the San Francisco market, maximizing pay could involve acquiring additional certifications from recognized bodies like the AAPC or AHIMA, focusing on high-demand areas like risk adjustment coding, and taking advantage of remote opportunities that enhance work-life balance without sacrificing salary.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 $43,152 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the San Francisco 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