Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in San Rafael, CA: $35,591 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in San Rafael, CA earns a median $35,591/year (≈ $17.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in San Rafael's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $31,469 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the medical billing and coding specialist salary in San Rafael is projected to reach a median of $35,591. This exceeds the national median of $30,349, reflecting a robust local job market for this occupation. The salary range for specialists in the area spans from $25,835 at the low end (P10) to $55,166 at the high end (P90), indicating a variety of pay scales based on experience and specific skill sets. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data, incorporating regional price adjustments to accurately reflect the cost of living. With 11 medical billing and coding specialists currently employed in San Rafael, the landscape offers opportunities for growth and advancement in this field.
About the San Rafael Market
Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25,835 | $12.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30,091 | $14.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,591 | $17.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,779 | $21.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,166 | $26.52 |
Median Salary Position
17.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Rafael
In San Rafael, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,331 (2026 est.). At $35,591, the local median is 17.27% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Rafael: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Rafael Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
San Rafael median: $35,591/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Rafael Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,065 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +17.27% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in San Rafael, CA earn a median of $35,591 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.27% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 1.50% above the California state average of $35,065.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Rafael has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Rafael, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $35,591 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $31,469 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$31,737
2025 BLS Actual
$34,784
2026 Current Est.
$35,591
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in San Rafael (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,737 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,091 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,179 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,735 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,784 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,591 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,417 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Rafael metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $31,737 (2021) to $34,784 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,417 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,680 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Rafael 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) | $25,835 – $30,091 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $30,091 – $35,591 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,591 – $44,779 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,779 – $55,166 |
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 Rafael
The cost of living in San Rafael, with an index of 113.1, presents challenges for take-home pay, necessitating a closer examination for those entering the profession. Employers such as hospital inpatient coding departments and third-party coding companies are among the highest payers in the area. Factors contributing to the pay gap include the complexity of the coding specialty—where inpatient CCS certifications yield higher salaries compared to outpatient CPC roles—and credential stacking, which can lead to increased earnings potential. Additionally, productivity bonuses tied to coding output can significantly influence individual salaries. For aspiring professionals aiming to maximize their pay in San Rafael, pursuing certifications from recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA and keeping abreast of evolving coding standards like ICD-10-CM and CPT can enhance both job prospects and compensation in this competitive market.
More salary data for San Rafael, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in San Rafael, CA in 2026?
Is San Rafael, CA a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?
Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in San Rafael?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in San Rafael?
How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in San Rafael?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $34,784 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the San Rafael 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 Rafael 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