Senior Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Long Beach, CA: $54,554 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of medical billing and coding specialists working in Long Beach, CA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $54,554/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2072. Strip back Long Beach's price premium (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $48,235 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
In the competitive field of medical billing and coding in Long Beach, California, the potential for top-tier earnings is substantial. Senior professionals with extensive experience can achieve high compensation, with the 2026 projected figures showcasing a salary range extending to $54,554 at the 90th percentile. This figure positions the top earners in Long Beach well above their national counterparts, reflecting a significant experience premium compared to the median salary of $35,196. To attain these upper echelons of pay, professionals need to leverage their advanced skills, particularly in specialized coding areas such as inpatient coding, risk adjustment, and surgical coding. Continuous education through certifications from recognized bodies like AAPC and AHIMA also plays a fundamental role in advancing one's career and salary prospects.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
Experienced medical billing and coding specialists at the top of the pay scale in Long Beach earn between $45,050 and $54,554 per year (2026 est.). This $31,343 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Long Beach median of $35,196 sits 15.97% above the US median.
Top MBS Salary Comparison
| Level | Long Beach | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $35,196 | $30,349 |
| 75th Percentile | $45,050 | $38,468 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $54,554 | $48,159 |
In Long Beach, 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 Long Beach
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 $35,196 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Long Beach employers.
Specialty Focus
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the medical billing and coding field in Long Beach command premium compensation, often reaching the $45,050–$54,554 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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 Long Beach
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
AdvancedLong Beach ranks #75 of 158 California cities for top earner medical billing and coding specialist salary (90th percentile: $54,554).
Top 10% medical billing and coding specialist compensation in Long Beach ($54,554) is 8.89% below the California average P90 ($59,877).
2021 BLS Actual
$48,751
2025 BLS Actual
$53,317
2026 Current Est.
$54,554
2021–2027 Growth
+14.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Long Beach (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $48,751 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,579 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,123 | Actual |
| 2024 | $121,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,317 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,554 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,820 | Projected |
Top-earning medical billing and coding specialists (90th percentile) in Long Beach saw their compensation grow 9.4% from $48,751 in 2021 to $53,317 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 $55,820 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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 Long Beach
Examining the pathways to elevated compensation, a variety of specialty areas command premium pay in Long Beach. Inpatient coding, particularly Certified Coding Specialists (CCS) and risk adjustment coding (Certified Risk Adjustment Coder - CRC), can lead to significant salary differentiation. Employment type also impacts earnings, with physician group practices, hospitals, and consulting firms offering varied compensation structures. Progressing into leadership roles, such as coding supervisor or HIM director, can further enhance financial rewards, especially for those with multiple advanced credentials. Additionally, coding professionals specializing in audit and compliance may find themselves in roles with even greater earning potential, driven by the demand for accuracy in coding practices. Specialty knowledge, ongoing education, and strategic career moves across different employer types can considerably influence the senior medical billing and coding specialist pay in CA, making it vital for seasoned coders to focus on continuous professional development and certifications to maximize their salaries in 2026 and beyond.
More salary data for Long Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced medical billing and coding specialists make in Long Beach in 2026?
What drives higher medical billing and coding specialist pay in Long Beach?
What certifications boost medical billing and coding specialist salary in Long Beach?
Can experienced medical billing and coding specialists make six figures in Long Beach?
How much does medical billing and coding specialist salary increase over time in Long Beach?
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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 $53,317 for medical billing and coding specialists in the Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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