Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Pasadena, TX: $30,017 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Pasadena, TX earns a median $30,017/year (≈ $14.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Pasadena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $31,268 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.1% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Pasadena, TX, can anticipate a median annual salary of $30,017, which reflects a slight drop compared to the national median of $30,349. Local salary estimates indicate a wide salary range where entry-level positions may start around $21,960, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $46,526. Factors such as credential stacking—advancing from the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) to Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and potentially to Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC)—can substantially enhance earning potential over a career span. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differences, highlighting Pasadena's competitive market for skilled coding professionals.
About the Pasadena Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21,960 | $10.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25,559 | $12.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $30,017 | $14.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38,421 | $18.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46,526 | $22.37 |
Median Salary Position
1.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pasadena
In Pasadena, TX, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,566 (2026 est.). At $30,017, the local median is 1.09% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pasadena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pasadena Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Pasadena median: $30,017/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pasadena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $26,777 | +12.10% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | -1.09% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Pasadena, TX earn a median of $30,017 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.09% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 12.10% above the Texas state average of $26,777.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pasadena has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pasadena, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $30,017 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $31,268 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$26,766
2025 BLS Actual
$29,336
2026 Current Est.
$30,017
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Pasadena (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $26,766 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,064 | Actual |
| 2023 | $27,982 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,846 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,336 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30,017 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30,713 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pasadena metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $26,766 (2021) to $29,336 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $30,713 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,947 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pasadena 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) | $21,960 – $25,559 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $25,559 – $30,017 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $30,017 – $38,421 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $38,421 – $46,526 |
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 Pasadena
On the ground in Pasadena, only 32 medical billing and coding specialists are currently employed, which shows a limited but stable job market, particularly in relation to the cost of living index of 96. This lower-than-average cost of living allows for potentially stronger purchasing power despite the local salary being slightly below the national median. The highest-paying opportunities often arise in physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments. Several factors contribute to the earnings disparity in the area. Professionals specializing in inpatient coding and those holding multiple credentials can expect higher compensation, especially when working in audit or compliance roles. Additionally, with remote work becoming the standard, those who can adapt to remote coding positions often find themselves in competitive salary discussions, particularly within risk adjustment coding, which continues to show significant growth. Understanding these dynamics can provide strategies for maximizing pay and career advancement.
More salary data for Pasadena, TX:
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 $29,336 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Pasadena 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 Pasadena 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