Medical Billing Salary

Fremont vs San Francisco: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Fremont, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fremont, CA
$44,162
$21.23/hr
San Francisco, CA
$44,153
$21.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFremont, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$44,162$44,153
Hourly Rate$21.23$21.23
Entry Level (P10)$28,915$29,388
25th Percentile$37,750$34,344
75th Percentile$56,528$51,500
Top Earner (P90)$68,452$63,779
Total Employed431,880
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fremont ($44,162) and San Francisco ($44,153) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.FremontSan FranciscoMedian Salary$44,162$44,153Entry Level (P10)$28,915$29,388Top Earner (P90)$68,452$63,779US Median $30,349

Verdict

Fremont, CA offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 2 out of 4 metrics compared to San Francisco.

The salary gap between Fremont and San Francisco is $9 (0.02%). Fremont's median is +45.51% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fremont spans $39,537,San Francisco spans $34,391. Fremont has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fremont
P10 (Entry)$28,915
P25$37,750
Median$44,162
P75$56,528
P90 (Top)$68,452
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$29,388
P25$34,344
Median$44,153
P75$51,500
P90 (Top)$63,779

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fremont ($39,047 effective) pays 2.24% more than San Francisco ($38,190 effective).

Fremont
Nominal: $44,162
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $39,047
San Francisco
Nominal: $44,153
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $38,190

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fremont if…

  • Higher median salary ($44,162/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($68,452)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $39,047)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Larger job market (1,880 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Fremont grew -43.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -29.8% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Fremont, CA

+-43.9%

$76,901 (2024) → $43,161 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+-29.8%

$61,470 (2021) → $43,152 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Fremont or San Francisco?

Fremont has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $44,162/year, compared to San Francisco at $44,153/year — a difference of $9 (0.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fremont and San Francisco?

Fremont medical billing and coding specialists earn $21.23/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $21.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fremont to San Francisco as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fremont and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fremont = $39,047, San Francisco = $38,190), job availability (43 vs 1,880 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Fremont vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $28,915 in Fremont and $29,388 in San Francisco. The San Francisco area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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