Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in San Jose, CA: $24.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in San Jose, CA runs $24.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,565 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against San Jose's regional price level (BEA RPP 110.4, 10% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.45 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,941 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Medical billing and coding specialists in San Jose, California, earn a median hourly rate of $24.79, significantly higher than the national median of $14.59. This competitive rate illustrates the strong demand for skilled professionals in the healthcare sector within the city. For part-time workers, such as those who commit to a typical schedule of three days a week, hourly wages translate to practical earnings that can vary depending on their experience level. Entry-level positions may start at around $15.82 per hour, while the most experienced individuals can command rates reaching $43.23 per hour. The post-pandemic shift to remote work has made positions in home offices and consulting firms increasingly popular, giving flexibility to medical coders at various stages of their careers. This data is 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) | $15.82 | $126.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.19 | $145.54 |
| Median (P50) | $24.79 | $198.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.15 | $281.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.23 | $345.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Jose
Based on $24.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.79/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Jose, CA can expect to earn approximately $51,568 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,751. With a cost-of-living index of 110.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Jose.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Jose
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $991.69 | $4,297 | $51,568 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $595.01 | $2,578 | $30,941 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $396.67 | $1,719 | $20,627 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (San Jose) | $24.79 |
| 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 San Jose, CA earn a median of $51,565 per year (2026 est.), which is 69.91% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 47.00% above the California state average of $35,078.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.79/hr = $30,941/year (purchasing power: $28,020).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,568/year (purchasing power: $46,700).
CoL index: 110.423 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$29.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.79/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-14.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in San Jose (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in San Jose grew -18.0% from $29.55/hr (2021) to $24.23/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.37/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 San Jose 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 San Jose
The earning potential for part-time medical billing and coding specialists working just 24 hours a week can reach about $30,025 annually, compared to the higher salaries of full-time workers who earn significantly more on average. In the realm of per-diem positions, 1099 medical coders typically bill between $25 and $42 per hour, with specialized roles such as CCS inpatient coders often earning between $35 and $55 an hour. Meanwhile, risk adjustment specialists in Medicare Advantage plans might see hourly rates ranging from $40 to $65. Hourly pay can differ greatly based on employment settings, whether it's a physician group, hospital department, or third-party coding company. Additionally, some professionals may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for job-related benefits like health insurance, leading them to evaluate their offers carefully. Those negotiating hourly pay in San Jose should emphasize their qualifications, particularly if they hold certifications from reputable organizations like AAPC or AHIMA, as this can enhance their bargaining power within the growing field of medical coding.
More salary data for San Jose, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in San Jose in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in San Jose?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in San Jose paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in San Jose?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in San Jose?
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 San Jose. 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