Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Oakland, CA: $21.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Oakland, CA runs $21.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,158 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Oakland's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $19.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,097 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Medical billing and coding specialists in Oakland, CA earn a median hourly rate of $21.71, significantly higher than the national median of $14.59. For professionals working part-time, such as those in typical roles three days a week, this translates to a desirable earnings potential, especially in flexible environments such as remote home offices or coding departments at hospitals. With a range spanning from $14.96 at the entry-level (P10) to $33.65 for experienced specialists (P90), individuals in this field have opportunities both in full-time and per-diem positions. The versatility of the role allows for various arrangements, catering to a workforce that values work-life balance and adaptability, while still aligning with industry standards set forth by credentialing bodies like AAPC and AHIMA.
About the Oakland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.96 | $119.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.87 | $142.92 |
| Median (P50) | $21.71 | $173.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.79 | $222.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.65 | $269.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oakland
Based on $21.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.71/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oakland, CA can expect to earn approximately $45,162 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,055. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Oakland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oakland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $868.49 | $3,763 | $45,162 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $521.10 | $2,258 | $27,097 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $347.40 | $1,505 | $18,065 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Oakland) | $21.71 |
| 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 Oakland, CA earn a median of $45,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 48.80% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 28.70% above the California state average of $35,088.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.71/hr = $27,097/year (purchasing power: $23,958).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,162/year (purchasing power: $39,931).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$19.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.71/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Oakland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Oakland grew 9.6% from $19.36/hr (2021) to $21.22/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.22/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 Oakland 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 Oakland
In considering the part-time earning potential, a medical billing and coding specialist working 24 hours a week would take home about $26,447 annually, which greatly differs from full-time earnings. For those pursuing per-diem opportunities or working as independent contractors, commonly billed hourly rates range between $25 and $42, setting a higher industry standard. Experts in risk adjustment coding could command rates as high as $40-$65 per hour. The compensation varies across employer types, with physician group practices and hospital coding departments generally offering lower hourly rates compared to third-party coding companies and consulting firms, which may provide additional benefits. Some specialists accept lower pay with employment benefits while others seek higher rates without. Negotiation for hourly positions in Oakland should emphasize expertise with ICD-10-CM and CPT updates and highlight familiarity with the growing risk adjustment coding sector.
More salary data for Oakland, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Oakland in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Oakland?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Oakland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Oakland?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Oakland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Oakland. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oakland 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