In this Article
By: All Allied Health Staff
In sunny California, the folks who work in the medical billing and coding profession are essential for ensuring California’s thriving healthcare and insurance industries run smoothly. There’s a lot of variety in their job description, including how much you stand to make per year. Knowing the salary landscape is key to figuring out if this path is right for you and planning your required education.
Key takeaways
- The median annual salary for medical billers and coders in California is $59,700.
- The highest salaries tend to be concentrated in the Bay Area and adjacent cities.
- Although California boasts some of the highest salaries in the country, medical billers and coders working there must also contend with a high cost of living.
Snapshot of medical billing and coding in CA
In California, about 19,750 individuals work as medical records specialists, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This ranks California at the state with the most medical billing and coding jobs in the nation. Workers in this field earn a median hourly wage of $29. The expected job growth over the next ten years is 7.1%.
Major employers in this sector in California include hospitals, healthcare centers and specialized medical billing companies, including:
- Atlas Medical Management:
- San Clemente, CA. AMM is a full-service medical billing and collections company that specializes in serving the healthcare community.
- Bristol Healthcare Services:
- Orange County, CA. Unlike some other companies that employ medical billers, Bristol also tackles the coding side of healthcare records services.
- Med Billing Strategies
- San Diego, CA. Specializes in providing medical billing, coding and practice management services for single and multi-specialty medical groups.
- Cedars Sinai Medical Center:
- Los Angeles, CA. Ranked the number one best hospital in the state for 11 adult specialties by U.S. News & World Report.
- UCLA Medical Center:
- Los Angeles, CA. Voted the number one best hospital in the state for 14 adult specialties and nine pediatric specialties by U.S. News & World Report.
- Stanford Health Care-Stanford Hospital
- Stanford, CA. Also ranked the number one best hospital in the state for 11 adult specialties by U.S. News & World Report.
Medical billing and coding salary California statistics
In the world of medical records specialists, which counts medical billers and coders among its ranks, you’re looking at a salary of around $50,250 nationwide. What you earn can fluctuate based on things such as your job location, years in the business, the certifications you’ve pursued and how much medical billing and coding schooling you’ve completed.
Medical biller and coder salary in CA by metro area
In California, medical billers and coders earn a median yearly income of $59,700, which is significantly above the national average. Keep in mind, though, that this figure can differ depending on factors like your experience, education level, the industry you work in and where in the state you’re located.
Medical Records Specialists
10%$41,740
25%$47,280
50%$59,700Median
75%$79,970
90%$104,560
Median Hourly Wage$29
Job growth7.1%
Total Employment19,750
| Metro area | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $86,960 | $54,620 | $150,600 |
| Vallejo, CA | $75,270 | $46,420 | $99,480 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $75,210 | $46,210 | $116,790 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $73,180 | $47,840 | $104,410 |
| Napa, CA | $62,200 | $44,100 | $80,620 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $61,120 | $41,370 | $92,120 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $60,810 | $45,440 | $95,560 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $56,980 | $40,710 | $71,600 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $56,470 | $40,790 | $111,090 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $55,980 | $40,850 | $100,950 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries may vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
What is the salary range for medical billers and coders in California?
The salary range for medical billing and coding professionals in California typically spans from $41,740 to $104,560 per year. This accounts for entry-level positions to senior-level roles and takes into consideration other factors such as experience, education and time in the position.
Employment by metro area nationwide
Here’s what the BLS reports as the highest employment numbers for the top 10 cities in the U.S. As you can see, the Los Angeles metro area actually outranks all other cities as having the highest number of medical records specialists.
What’s the salary and job growth outlook for CA?
The job outlook for medical billers and coders in California is generally positive, with demand for these professionals expected to grow steadily as the state’s healthcare industry expands. Employment projections for medical records and health information technicians (the occupational category that includes billers and coders) show growth rates that are faster than the overall average for all occupations (7.1% to be exact), driven by factors such as an aging population that requires more medical services and the continued adoption of electronic health records (EHR) systems across healthcare settings. In California’s large and diverse healthcare market—which includes major hospitals, outpatient clinics, physician offices and an increasing number of telehealth operations—this growth translates to a robust stream of job opportunities for trained and certified professionals.
What factors affect medical billing and coding salaries in California?
Several factors can influence the salary potential in the medical billing and coding field in the state of California. These factors may include:
- Experience:
- The number of years of experience you have in the healthcare or medical billing and coding industry can significantly impact your earning potential. Entry-level professionals may start at a lower salary, while those with extensive experience and expertise can command higher salaries.
- Education and certifications:
- The level of education you have achieved and any relevant certifications can contribute to your salary. Advanced degrees and specialized certifications may result in higher earning potential.
- Industry and company size:
- The industry you work in and the size of the company can affect salary ranges. Certain industries may offer higher compensation, and larger companies often have more resources to provide competitive salaries.
- Geographic location and cost of living:
- Salaries can vary significantly depending on the location within California. Urban areas and regions with higher costs of living typically offer higher salaries to compensate for the increased expenses. It’s essential to consider the cost of living when assessing salary offers and opportunities.
How can I know if I am being paid fairly as a medical biller and coder in California?
There are several ways to discern whether or not your pay is equitable, and you should consider the following resources if you are concerned about your salary:
- Do your research. Research employment and job sites such as Glassdoor and Payscale to see what the salary averages are in your city and/or state. Use the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website to find median pay for cities, states and nationally.
- Be observant in your workplace. Do you see other people receiving special privileges, such as bonuses or additional benefits? Would it seem possible that they may also receive more for doing the same job? Consider length of employment and equity of duties as well.
- Be transparent in the right way. If you believe a wage imbalance exists between you and another staff member doing the same job, ask your employer about it directly. It’s always best to be transparent, but you should try and utilize the correct channels. Most employers frown upon employees discussing their pay with each other.
There are federal laws that protect workers in regard to pay. Medical billers and coders in California are protected by the state’s California Equal Pay Act and the California Fair Pay Act, which promote some of the strongest equal pay legislation in the nation.
What education and training do I need to be a medical biller or coder in California?
In California, there are no universal education standards to work as a medical biller or coder. That said, a typical education path for billers and coders looks like:
- Finishing up a program that gives you a certificate or associate degree in medical billing and coding, or something similar like informatics or health information management.
- Pursuing a billing and/or coding certification through the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) or the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).
While it’s not a requirement to have a certification to work as a medical biller or coder, these days many employers prefer that you have some kind of certification.
Also, keep in mind that continually learning and training in this field can really boost your skills and help you move up in the world of medical billing and coding. There are even online medical billing and coding programs you may consider adding into your busy schedule.
Cost of living considerations for CA
California is known for having a significantly higher cost of living than the national average, with overall expenses much higher than typical U.S. levels and especially steep housing costs in major metros like San Francisco and Los Angeles. Housing often accounts for the largest share of monthly spending, with home prices well above the national median and rents frequently exceeding $2,000 per month in urban centers. Other basics—such as utilities, transportation, food and healthcare—also trend higher than most other states. Overall, RentCafe states that the cost of living in California is 40% higher than the national average.
For medical billing and coding professionals, this elevated cost environment is relevant because it helps explain why salaries in California tend to be higher than the national average. Employers often must offer more competitive pay to attract and retain qualified billers and coders who need to cover these living costs, particularly if they reside in or near expensive metropolitan areas.
Despite having the second-highest cost of living in the nation behind only Hawaii, there are more affordable regions within the state. California.com lists these 11 cities as places you can live more comfortably within the state:
- Clearlake, CA
- Bakersfield, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Eureka, CA
- Stockton, CA
- Clovis, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Chico, CA
- Fontana, CA
- Visalia, CA
- San Jacinto, CA
Of note is the UC Davis Medical Center, which is in Sacramento, ranked number seven on the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals in California survey, and several others were located in proximity to some of the most affordable cities.
California professional associations and networking
Getting involved with California-centric professional associations and networking groups in the medical billing and coding field, as well as other health information sectors, can be a great move. These groups offer a chance to link up with local communities, snag helpful resources and keep tabs on what’s new and exciting in the medical billing and coding industry in California.
Here are a couple of notable organizations you might want to check out:
- California Health Information Association (CHIA): This group is all about being top-notch when it comes to handling personal health info needed for top-quality healthcare services for everyone. It’s also an affiliate of AHIMA.
- AAPC local chapters: The AAPC has nearly 20 local chapters in California alone, making it a great resource to connect with local peers, attend networking events and tap into the larger organization’s resources.
This guide on medical billing and coding salaries in California is designed to give you a thorough overview of what to expect pay-wise in this healthcare field. Consider it your starting block for making smart career choices, negotiating your salary, and setting achievable goals for your education and professional journey.