Senior Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Burbank, CA: $53,703 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of medical billing and coding specialists working in Burbank, CA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $53,703/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2072. Strip back Burbank's price premium (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $47,483 in average-cost America. The 55% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Salaries for experienced medical billing and coding specialists in Burbank, California, exhibit a significant disparity that underscores both the demand for expertise and the potential for high earnings. Projected data for 2026 indicates that top earners in this field could anticipate a striking annual compensation of $53,703, while those in the 75th percentile can expect to earn around $44,139. This marks a considerable gap when compared to the median annual salary of $34,647. The higher earnings reflect the premium placed on experience, particularly for professionals with over seven years in the field, emphasizing the importance of advanced certifications and specialized skills to reach these upper echelons in Burbank's competitive job market. Moreover, the robust health care infrastructure in the area supports the potential for upward mobility, allowing seasoned coders to strategically position themselves for senior-level roles with high pay.
About the Burbank Market
Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burbank
Experienced medical billing and coding specialists at the top of the pay scale in Burbank earn between $44,139 and $53,703 per year (2026 est.). This $29,977 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Burbank median of $34,647 sits 14.16% above the US median.
Top MBS Salary Comparison
| Level | Burbank | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $34,647 | $30,349 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,139 | $38,468 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $53,703 | $48,159 |
In Burbank, experienced medical billing and coding specialists (P90) earn 55.00% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay in Burbank
Advanced Certifications in California
CA medical billing and coding specialists with additional specialty certifications within the medical billing and coding field earn significantly above the $34,647 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Burbank employers.
Specialty Focus
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the medical billing and coding field in Burbank command premium compensation, often reaching the $44,139–$53,703 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Burbank metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced medical billing and coding specialists who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured medical billing and coding specialists in Burbank with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in California who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Career & Wage Growth Path in Burbank
Clinical Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
5-10 yearsMedical Billing and Coding Specialist Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBurbank ranks #109 of 158 California cities for top earner medical billing and coding specialist salary (90th percentile: $53,703).
Top 10% medical billing and coding specialist compensation in Burbank ($53,703) is 10.31% below the California average P90 ($59,877).
2021 BLS Actual
$47,990
2025 BLS Actual
$52,485
2026 Current Est.
$53,703
2021–2027 Growth
+14.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Burbank (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,805 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,325 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,274 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,485 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,703 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,949 | Projected |
Top-earning medical billing and coding specialists (90th percentile) in Burbank saw their compensation grow 9.4% from $47,990 in 2021 to $52,485 in 2025, based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.32% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $54,949 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burbank 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.
Maximizing Your Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Earnings in Burbank
Examining the compensation landscape for senior medical billing and coding specialists within Burbank reveals several critical factors that influence earnings. Specializations like inpatient coding (CCS), outpatient coding (CCS-P, CPC), and risk adjustment/HCC coding (CRC) are particularly lucrative, often commanding premium pay due to their complexity and the skill set required. The type of employer plays a substantial role in compensation levels—professionals working in physician group practices or hospital departments may find different pay scales compared to their counterparts in third-party coding companies or consulting firms. As the industry advances, paths to leadership become achievable, allowing experienced coders to transition into roles such as lead coder, coding supervisor, or even HIM director. Additional certifications, such as AAPC’s CPC or AHIMA’s CCS, can significantly enhance earning potential in California, especially when coupled with diverse skills across ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding sets. Non-salary benefits may also be significant, with options for remote work and productivity bonuses further impacting total compensation for these seasoned professionals in Burbank.
More salary data for Burbank, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced medical billing and coding specialists make in Burbank in 2026?
What drives higher medical billing and coding specialist pay in Burbank?
What certifications boost medical billing and coding specialist salary in Burbank?
Can experienced medical billing and coding specialists make six figures in Burbank?
How much does medical billing and coding specialist salary increase over time in Burbank?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $52,485 for medical billing and coding specialists in the Burbank metro area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burbank 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