How to Become A Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in California
California employs approximately 18,700 medical billing and coding specialists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $61,810 1. Nationally, medical billing and coding specialist employment is projected to grow 7.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 14,200 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a medical billing and coding specialist in California, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in California
How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in California? California does not require a state license for medical billing and coding specialists, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as CPC (Certified Professional Coder) and CCS (Certified Coding Specialist). Complete a training program to prepare.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in California? No state license is required, but certifications such as CPC (Certified Professional Coder) and CCS (Certified Coding Specialist) are expected by most employers.
What do medical billing and coding specialists earn in California? The median annual wage for medical billing and coding specialists in California is $61,810 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $43,800 and experienced professionals can earn $102,470 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (California): $61,810 per year 1
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Certification Options in California
California does not require a state license to work as a medical billing and coding specialist. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.
Common certifications for medical billing and coding specialists include:
- CPC (Certified Professional Coder)
- CCS (Certified Coding Specialist)
For more information, visit the AAPC - Medical Coding Certification 3. Contact training programs in California for details on certification preparation courses.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Wages by Metro Area in California
Medical Records Specialists Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), medical records specialists wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 7,240 | $59,110 | $65,810 | $41,710 | $101,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 1,880 | $74,400 | $75,570 | $49,520 | $107,470 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 1,600 | $61,480 | $65,500 | $44,100 | $99,930 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 1,350 | $58,830 | $63,070 | $42,360 | $93,640 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 1,340 | $75,150 | $76,110 | $47,470 | $106,510 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 920 | $86,890 | $97,430 | $55,430 | $151,520 |
| Fresno | 430 | $58,400 | $60,940 | $41,420 | $80,560 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 310 | $55,270 | $56,920 | $41,480 | $75,460 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 290 | $57,970 | $63,940 | $44,310 | $97,920 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 280 | $62,950 | $67,630 | $45,210 | $96,820 |
| Modesto | 210 | $48,240 | $57,000 | $39,890 | $79,490 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 210 | $61,950 | $69,770 | $46,350 | $118,230 |
| Visalia | 200 | $59,420 | $61,540 | $44,180 | $80,620 |
| Salinas | 190 | $57,880 | $60,650 | $44,630 | $82,170 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 170 | $61,670 | $65,920 | $45,840 | $91,320 |
| Vallejo | 130 | $82,230 | $71,410 | $46,550 | $82,750 |
| Chico | 120 | $57,490 | $64,380 | $41,710 | $94,200 |
| Redding | 120 | $59,630 | $66,810 | $38,560 | $118,030 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 100 | $60,580 | $66,640 | $46,100 | $92,360 |
| Merced | 70 | $58,060 | $59,350 | $45,360 | $75,770 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 70 | $53,870 | $57,850 | $39,880 | $85,660 |
| El Centro | 60 | $60,850 | $58,280 | $40,000 | $80,860 |
| Hanford-Corcoran | 60 | $58,680 | $57,100 | $44,780 | $62,950 |
| Napa | 60 | $58,670 | $65,150 | $49,920 | $85,440 |
| Yuba City | 60 | $50,560 | $58,130 | $40,060 | $89,200 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Medical billing and coding specialists in California
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest medical billing and coding specialist employment within California according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 7,240 | $59,110 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 1,880 | $74,400 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 1,600 | $61,480 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 1,350 | $58,830 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 1,340 | $75,150 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for medical billing and coding specialists in California? California currently employs approximately 18,700 medical billing and coding specialists 1. Nationally, medical billing and coding specialist employment is projected to grow 7.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in California.
How much do medical billing and coding specialists earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for medical billing and coding specialists in California is $61,810, which is $11,560 above the national median of $50,250 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
AAPC - Medical Coding Certification: https://www.aapc.com/ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |