Medical Coding Specialist Jobs in California
Medical Coding Specialist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, with demand concentrated in large hospital systems, multispecialty physician groups, and health plan administration, at every level from entry-level coders through senior auditors and compliance leads. The heaviest hiring is in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Diego, where Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and UCLA Health maintain large coding operations. Oncology coding, risk adjustment (HCC), and outpatient facility coding are the most sought-after specialties across California's provider and payer networks. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Medical Coding Specialist jobs
Responsibilities:
- Review and analyze medical records and patient bills for accuracy and completeness
- Assign appropriate medical codes using ICD-10 and other coding systems
- Ensure compliance with coding guidelines and regulations
- Submit claims to insurance companies and follow up on unpaid or denied claims
- Process payments from insurance companies and patients
- Resolve billing discrepancies and answer inquiries from patients, insurance companies, and healthcare providers
- Maintain confidentiality of patient information and adhere to HIPAA regulations
- Collaborate with healthcare providers to obtain necessary documentation for accurate billing
Experience:
- Previous experience in medical billing or related field preferred
- Proficient in medical terminology, DRG, and medical coding systems
- Knowledge of medical collection practices and procedures
- Familiarity with electronic health record systems and billing software
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy in data entry and record keeping
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively
Note: This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the position. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, or qualifications required for the role.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $20.00 - $21.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
Work Location: In person
See All 12 Medical Coding Specialist Jobs in California
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Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Medical Coding Specialist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in medical coding specialist jobs across California.
- CPC, CCS, or CCA certification from AAPC or AHIMA required or strongly preferred
- Proficiency in ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS Level II coding systems
- Experience with Epic, Meditech, or another major electronic health record platform
- Knowledge of California Medi-Cal billing requirements and state-specific payer rules
- Familiarity with risk adjustment coding methodologies including HCC and RADV
- Associate degree or higher in health information management or a related clinical field
Medical Coding Specialist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a medical coding specialist in California?
California does not issue a state license for medical coders, so the recognized path is completing an accredited health information technology or medical coding program and earning a national credential. AAPC's Certified Professional Coder (CPC) and AHIMA's Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) are the credentials California employers reference most in job postings. Community colleges across the state, including those in the Los Angeles and Sacramento areas, offer accredited programs that prepare candidates for these exams.
How much do medical coding specialists make in California?
Medical coding specialists in California earn a median of about $61,810 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $43,800 for the lowest 10% to over $102,470 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire medical coding specialists in California?
Employers hiring medical coding specialists in California right now include UEI College, Kaiser Permanente, and Hoag Health System, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's size and density of integrated health systems, including large regional payers and academic medical centers, means hiring tends to be consistent throughout the year rather than seasonal.
Which California cities have the most medical coding specialist jobs?
Pasadena, Barstow, and Brawley have the most medical coding specialist openings in California. Los Angeles dominates due to the sheer scale of its hospital systems, multispecialty groups, and health plan headquarters, while Sacramento's concentration of state government health programs and large regional systems like Sutter Health drives steady demand, and San Diego's base of military health networks and UC San Diego Health supports consistent openings.
Are there remote medical coding specialist jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most healthcare roles. Medical coding is fundamentally a desk-based, documentation-driven function, making it one of the most remote-compatible positions in health information management. About 33% of medical coding specialist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, which reflects how broadly California employers have adopted distributed coding teams. Outpatient facility coding and risk adjustment auditing tend to offer the most fully remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a medical coding specialist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is completing a medical coding certificate program at a California community college, earning a CPC-A or CCA credential, and applying to coding trainee or coding auditor apprentice roles that Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, and large physician management organizations post for candidates without experience. Medical billing specialist and health information clerk positions at California clinics are also common lateral moves that provide the chart access and system exposure that coding supervisors look for when promoting from within.
Where can I find and apply to medical coding specialist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to medical coding specialist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across hospital systems, physician groups, and health plans. Find roles that fit your experience and credentials below and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 12 Medical Coding Specialist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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