Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Bakersfield, CA: $32,801 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Bakersfield, CA earns a median $32,801/year (≈ $15.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Bakersfield's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $32,513 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical billing and coding specialist salary in Bakersfield stands at a median of $32,801, making it more competitive than the national average of $30,349 by approximately 8.08%. The local salary range stretches from $24,616 at the 10th percentile to $44,782 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant variation in earnings based on experience, specialization, and other factors. Data derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys indicate that employment opportunities in this sector are influenced by the ongoing demand for coding professionals across different medical settings. Notably, those specializing in inpatient coding (CCS) and risk adjustment gain an edge over their outpatient-coding peers, affecting the overall compensation structure in Bakersfield's medical coding job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24,616 | $11.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27,827 | $13.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $32,801 | $15.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37,358 | $17.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44,782 | $21.53 |
Median Salary Position
8.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bakersfield
In Bakersfield, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,166 (2026 est.). At $32,801, the local median is 8.08% above the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in Bakersfield: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bakersfield Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Bakersfield median: $32,801/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bakersfield Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,081 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | +8.08% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $32,801 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.08% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 6.50% below the California state average of $35,081.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bakersfield has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bakersfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 100.886 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $32,801 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $32,513 — a 0.88% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$47,000
2025 BLS Actual
$32,057
2026 Current Est.
$32,801
2021–2027 Growth
+-28.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bakersfield (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $32,057 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32,801 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33,562 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bakersfield metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -31.8% from $47,000 (2021) to $32,057 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $33,562 by 2027 — a total increase of $-13,438 (-28.59%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $24,616 – $27,827 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $27,827 – $32,801 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $32,801 – $37,358 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $37,358 – $44,782 |
MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in Bakersfield
The job market for medical billing and coding specialists in Bakersfield CA employs around 310 individuals, signaling a stable demand for trained professionals. However, the city's cost-of-living index, which stands at 100.886, suggests that while salaries may be attractive, take-home purchasing power might be affected when accounting for local living expenses. Employers such as physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments typically offer higher salaries, while remote positions with third-party coding companies also present lucrative options. The salary spread in this field reflects various factors, including specialty expertise, credential stacking (e.g., CPC + CCS + CRC), and the potential for productivity bonuses. To maximize pay, professionals should actively pursue additional certifications and consider roles in high-demand specialties like risk adjustment and HCC coding, as the market increasingly favors those who adapt and enhance their coding skills to meet evolving healthcare needs.
More salary data for Bakersfield, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $32,057 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Bakersfield metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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