Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in San Mateo, CA: $35,452 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in San Mateo, CA earns a median $35,452/year (≈ $17.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in San Mateo's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $31,346 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in San Mateo, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $35,452, which exceeds the national median of $30,349 by nearly 17%. This figure is accompanied by a salary range from a low of $23,881 to a high of $54,950, reflecting the varied experience and skill levels within the profession. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, revealing how the increasing opportunity for remote work has expanded the salary landscape. For those considering a career as a medical billing and coding specialist in San Mateo, the job market remains promising, reflecting the city's strong healthcare ecosystem and demand for skilled coding professionals.
About the San Mateo Market
Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,881 | $11.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30,764 | $14.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,452 | $17.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,804 | $21.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,950 | $26.42 |
Median Salary Position
16.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Mateo
In San Mateo, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,069 (2026 est.). At $35,452, the local median is 16.81% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Mateo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Mateo Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
San Mateo median: $35,452/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Mateo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,066 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +16.81% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in San Mateo, CA earn a median of $35,452 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.81% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 1.10% above the California state average of $35,066.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Mateo has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Mateo, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $35,452 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $31,346 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$31,613
2025 BLS Actual
$34,648
2026 Current Est.
$35,452
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in San Mateo (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,613 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,965 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,049 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,438 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,648 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,452 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,274 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Mateo metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $31,613 (2021) to $34,648 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,274 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,661 (14.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Mateo 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) | $23,881 – $30,764 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $30,764 – $35,452 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,452 – $44,804 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,804 – $54,950 |
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 Mateo
San Mateo is home to 21 medical billing and coding specialists, indicating a stable local workforce in this field. However, its cost of living, represented by a CoL index of 113.1, suggests that earning potential must be carefully evaluated against expenses. Among the various employers in the area, physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments tend to offer the highest compensation packages. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to several factors, including specialization areas—such as inpatient CCS versus outpatient CPC—and the potential for additional income through credential stacking and productivity bonuses. Those looking to maximize their pay should consider pursuing multiple credentials from AAPC or AHIMA, as well as seeking positions that allow for remote work, which has become standard post-2020. Understanding these dynamics can significantly enhance one’s earning potential in the medical billing and coding specialist pay realm in San Mateo, CA.
More salary data for San Mateo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in San Mateo, CA in 2026?
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Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in San Mateo?
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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 $34,648 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the San Mateo 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 Mateo 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