Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Merced, CA: $34,456 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Merced, CA earns a median $34,456/year (≈ $16.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Merced's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.3), that paycheck buys what $35,061 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical billing and coding specialist salary in Merced, CA, stands at a median of $34,456, reflecting competitive pay compared to national figures of $30,349. Salaries within this field can vary significantly, with a range from $26,919 to $44,967. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, indicates a growing demand for skilled professionals in this area, particularly as remote work standards have expanded, allowing individuals in Merced to tap into broader job markets. The local economic landscape suggests a robust opportunity for those seeking roles in medical coding, as the employment of medical billing and coding specialists is steady, making it an attractive career choice in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26,919 | $12.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27,839 | $13.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $34,456 | $16.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38,426 | $18.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44,967 | $21.62 |
Median Salary Position
13.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merced
In Merced, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,048 (2026 est.). At $34,456, the local median is 13.53% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Merced: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Merced Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Merced median: $34,456/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merced Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,088 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | +13.53% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Merced, CA earn a median of $34,456 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.53% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 1.80% below the California state average of $35,088.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merced has a cost of living 1.72% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Merced, CA has a cost-of-living index of 98.275 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $34,456 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $35,061 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.76% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$45,600
2025 BLS Actual
$33,675
2026 Current Est.
$34,456
2021–2027 Growth
+-22.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Merced (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $45,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,675 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,456 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,256 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merced metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -26.2% from $45,600 (2021) to $33,675 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,256 by 2027 — a total increase of $-10,344 (-22.68%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merced 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) | $26,919 – $27,839 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $27,839 – $34,456 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $34,456 – $38,426 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $38,426 – $44,967 |
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 Merced
Analyzing the local job market reveals that around 70 medical billing and coding specialists are currently employed in the Merced area, signaling a need for skilled professionals. The cost of living index in Merced is 98.275, which suggests that while the pay might be slightly lower than the national average, it can still provide a reasonable standard of living. Larger employers such as hospital inpatient coding departments, physician group practices, and third-party coding companies typically offer the highest salaries, especially for specialists in inpatient CCS coding or those with multiple credentials. Wage variability in this sector often links back to specialty areas—those concentrating on risk adjustment and HCC coding may see better financial rewards. To maximize pay potential, ongoing education and certification from entities like AAPC or AHIMA are essential, along with an understanding of coding productivity metrics and the intricacies of outpatient versus inpatient billing practices.
More salary data for Merced, 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 $33,675 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Merced 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