Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Union City, CA: $16.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Union City, CA runs $16.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $35,158 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Union City's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $14.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,095 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Union City, California, a medical billing and coding specialist earns a median hourly rate of $16.90, significantly surpassing the national hourly median of $14.59. This difference reflects the higher demand and cost of living in California. For specialists working part-time—perhaps three days a week—this rate translates to a solid income while maintaining flexibility. A typical workweek could bring in about $540, making it attractive for those in remote settings, hospital health information management (HIM) departments, or third-party coding companies. Entry-level positions start at approximately $11.95 an hour, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $26.00 hourly. This range shows the potential for growth and variation depending on experience and employer type.
About the Union City 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) | $11.95 | $95.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.68 | $117.46 |
| Median (P50) | $16.90 | $135.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.01 | $168.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.00 | $208.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Union City
Based on $16.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.90/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Union City, CA can expect to earn approximately $35,159 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,284. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Union City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Union City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $676.13 | $2,930 | $35,159 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $405.68 | $1,758 | $21,095 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $270.45 | $1,172 | $14,064 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Union City) | $16.90 |
| 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 Union City, CA earn a median of $35,158 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.85% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 0.20% above the California state average of $35,088.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.90/hr = $21,095/year (purchasing power: $18,652).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,159/year (purchasing power: $31,086).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$15.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.90/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Union City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $15.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Union City grew 9.6% from $15.07/hr (2021) to $16.52/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.30/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 Union City 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 Union City
Considering the earning potential for part-time specialists, those working 24 hours a week could expect to take home roughly $35,158 annually, considerably less than full-time counterparts. Meanwhile, some professionals explore per-diem options, often billing between $25 and $42 hourly as independent contractors. Specialty roles, like CCS inpatient coders, typically earn between $35 and $55 hourly, while CRC risk adjustment specialists at Medicare Advantage can command up to $65 per hour. Hourly pay can vary significantly based on the employer: physician groups, hospital coding departments, and consulting firms all present different compensation structures. For those willing to trade a higher hourly rate for job security and health benefits, understanding the full compensation package is crucial. Effective negotiation strategies in Union City might include emphasizing the value of specific coding certifications such as CPC and CCS or demonstrating expertise in high-demand areas like risk adjustment coding.
More salary data for Union City, 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 Union City. 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 Union City 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