Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in El Centro, CA: $17.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in El Centro, CA runs $17.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $36,112 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against El Centro's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.2, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $18.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,670 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In El Centro, California, the projected hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist is $17.36, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $14.59. This favorable rate reflects the increased demand for professionals skilled in coding and billing, especially in remote settings that have become prevalent since 2020. Part-time professionals working three days a week, or around 24 hours, can expect to earn approximately $416 weekly, enabling them to balance work commitments while still pursuing other interests or responsibilities. El Centro’s hourly range spans from $11.41 for entry-level positions to $23.07 for more experienced specialists, indicating that those with advanced certifications and years of experience can command higher wages in this field.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.41 | $91.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.21 | $105.68 |
| Median (P50) | $17.36 | $138.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.11 | $144.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.07 | $184.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Centro
Based on $17.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.36/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Centro, CA can expect to earn approximately $36,117 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,836. With a cost-of-living index of 95.17 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in El Centro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Centro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $694.55 | $3,010 | $36,117 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $416.73 | $1,806 | $21,670 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $277.82 | $1,204 | $14,447 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (El Centro) | $17.36 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in El Centro, CA earn a median of $36,112 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.99% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 2.90% above the California state average of $35,094.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.36/hr = $21,670/year (purchasing power: $22,769).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $36,117/year (purchasing power: $37,948).
CoL index: 95.174 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.36/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-3.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in El Centro (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in El Centro grew -7.9% from $18.43/hr (2021) to $16.97/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.77/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical billing and coding specialists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Centro 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in El Centro
Part-time medical billing and coding specialists might generate annual earnings considerably lower than their full-time counterparts, yet still maintain a decent standard of living in El Centro. While full-time roles offer stability and benefits, many specialists choose per-diem opportunities, which can provide increased flexibility and lucrative pay. The per-diem medical billing and coding specialist pay in El Centro varies widely; for instance, those billing at rates between $25 and $42 per hour greatly benefit from the increased freedom of 1099 status. Moreover, hourly pay can diverge depending on the employer—hospital coding departments, third-party coding companies, and consulting firms each offer different compensation structures. Some specialists may opt for positions with lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, making negotiations critical. Understanding market rates and demonstrating expertise in areas like ICD-10-CM or risk adjustment coding can empower specialists to negotiate favorable terms within the marketplace.
More salary data for El Centro, CA:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical billing and coding specialists in El Centro. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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