Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Richmond, CA: $35,743 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Richmond, CA earns a median $35,743/year (≈ $17.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $31,603 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Richmond, California can expect a median annual salary of $35,743, significantly surpassing the national median of $30,349 by 17.77%. Salaries in the Richmond area range from $24,432 at the lower end (P10) to $55,402 for those at the higher end of the pay scale (P90). These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost of living factors, reflect the varying demands of coding in different healthcare settings. Inpatient coding, particularly for complex cases, tends to offer higher compensation than outpatient coding or risk adjustment roles, thus contributing to the varied salary landscape for specialists in Richmond, CA.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24,432 | $11.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29,243 | $14.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,743 | $17.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,502 | $21.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,402 | $26.63 |
Median Salary Position
17.77% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, CA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,970 (2026 est.). At $35,743, the local median is 17.77% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Richmond median: $35,743/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $35,077 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +17.77% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Richmond, CA earn a median of $35,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.77% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 1.90% above the California state average of $35,077.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $35,743 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $31,603 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$31,873
2025 BLS Actual
$34,933
2026 Current Est.
$35,743
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Richmond (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,873 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,228 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,321 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,059 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,933 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,743 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,573 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $31,873 (2021) to $34,933 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,573 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,700 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $24,432 – $29,243 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $29,243 – $35,743 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,743 – $45,502 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,502 – $55,402 |
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 Richmond
With approximately 25 medical billing and coding specialists currently employed in Richmond, the job market remains stable, particularly as the healthcare sector increasingly shifts towards remote work options. This transition has driven demand for skilled coders familiar with ICD-10-CM and CPT code sets, while the local cost of living index—sitting at 113.1—suggests a moderate increase in living expenses that affects take-home pay. Among employers, physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments typically offer the highest salaries, but notable pay can also be found with ambulatory surgery centers and insurance company coding audit teams. The disparity in earnings within this field is largely influenced by specialty focus (with inpatient CCS roles generally commanding higher pay), credential stacking (such as maintaining both CPC and CCS certifications), and the structure of remote versus in-office work. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Richmond, pursuing advanced coding certifications and staying updated on industry changes can provide substantial benefits.
More salary data for Richmond, 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 $34,933 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Richmond 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
Salary data for Richmond 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