Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Santa Rosa, CA: $36,599 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Santa Rosa, CA earns a median $36,599/year (≈ $17.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Santa Rosa's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.8), that paycheck buys what $33,956 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Santa Rosa, California, can anticipate a median annual salary of $36,599, which represents a notable 20.59% increase compared to the national median of $30,349 for the same year. The salary range for this occupation in the area varies widely, from a lower 10th percentile earning $27,204 to a high of $54,195 at the 90th percentile. These figures are drawn from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, underscoring the potential for career growth in this field. With the right credentials, such as the Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC), professionals can significantly enhance their lifetime earning potential, particularly in a market like Santa Rosa, which reflects a competitive environment for skilled coders.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,204 | $13.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29,881 | $14.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,599 | $17.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,642 | $22.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,195 | $26.05 |
Median Salary Position
20.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Rosa
In Santa Rosa, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,991 (2026 est.). At $36,599, the local median is 20.59% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Rosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Rosa Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Santa Rosa median: $36,599/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Rosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,090 | +4.30% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +20.59% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $36,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.59% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 4.30% above the California state average of $35,090.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Rosa has a cost of living 7.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Rosa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 107.784 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $36,599 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $33,956 — a 7.22% 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
$55,840
2025 BLS Actual
$35,769
2026 Current Est.
$36,599
2021–2027 Growth
+-32.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Santa Rosa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $55,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,769 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,599 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,448 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Rosa metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -35.9% from $55,840 (2021) to $35,769 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,448 by 2027 — a total increase of $-18,392 (-32.94%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Rosa 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) | $27,204 – $29,881 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $29,881 – $36,599 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,599 – $47,642 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,642 – $54,195 |
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 Santa Rosa
In the local job market, there are approximately 170 medical billing and coding specialists employed in Santa Rosa. Despite the cost of living index standing at 107.784, which is above the national average, the earnings in this profession can offer decent purchasing power for most. Typically, the highest-paying employers fall within hospital inpatient coding departments and physician group practice coding offices, where specialized skills and credentials like CCS and CRC can lead to higher compensation. The disparity between lower and higher salaries is driven by factors including coding specialty, additional credential stacking, and performance-based bonuses that can incentivize productivity per hour. For those looking to maximize their pay in Santa Rosa, pursuing credentials from recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA can be advantageous, along with considering remote work opportunities that have surged post-2020 as the coding industry adapts to new standards and demands.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Santa Rosa, CA in 2026?
Is Santa Rosa, CA a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?
Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Santa Rosa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in Santa Rosa?
How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in Santa Rosa?
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 $35,769 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Santa Rosa 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