Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Sacramento, CA: $21.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Sacramento, CA runs $21.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,598 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Sacramento's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.7, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $20.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,765 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay stands at a median of $21.45, significantly surpassing the national median of $14.59. This robust hourly rate is advantageous for part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week, allowing a balance between work and personal life while still securing a respectable income. For per-diem medical billing and coding specialists in CA, working remote or from various health care settings can lead to varied earnings depending on the facility and role. Sacramento's hourly pay ranges from $13.55 for entry-level positions to $30.39 for the highest earners, reflecting the city's demand for skilled coding experts in hospital departments, physician practices, and consulting firms, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.55 | $108.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.13 | $129.01 |
| Median (P50) | $21.45 | $171.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.28 | $202.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.39 | $243.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sacramento
Based on $21.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.45/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sacramento, CA can expect to earn approximately $44,608 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,736. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Sacramento.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sacramento
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $857.85 | $3,717 | $44,608 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $514.71 | $2,230 | $26,765 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $343.14 | $1,487 | $17,843 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Sacramento) | $21.45 |
| 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 Sacramento, CA earn a median of $44,598 per year (2026 est.), which is 46.95% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 27.10% above the California state average of $35,089.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.45/hr = $26,765/year (purchasing power: $25,091).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,608/year (purchasing power: $41,819).
CoL index: 106.67 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$29.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.45/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-24.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Sacramento (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Sacramento grew -27.9% from $29.07/hr (2021) to $20.96/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.94/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 Sacramento 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 Sacramento
When considering earnings, part-time medical billing and coding specialists in Sacramento who work 24 hours a week take home approximately $26,088 annually compared to a full-time specialist's higher earnings. This flexibility makes per-diem or agency work appealing, as many 1099 coders can command hourly rates between $25 and $42, while specialized roles such as inpatient coders and risk adjustment specialists earn even more, reflecting their expertise in high-demand areas like ICD-10-CM and HCC coding. Furthermore, Sacramento employers vary in their compensation strategies; for instance, hospital coding departments may offer steadier pay but less flexibility compared to third-party coding companies where remote work is commonplace. Coders often face a trade-off between better hourly rates without benefits and secure positions that offer health insurance and retirement plans. For effective negotiations, it is advisable for hourly workers to stay updated on industry standards and the latest coding guidelines to reinforce their value in this evolving field.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 Sacramento. 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