Medical Billing and Coding Programs in California

California has the largest healthcare sector in the United States, driven by a population of nearly 39 million residents. The state is home to major academic medical centers (UCLA Health, UCSF Medical Center, Stanford Health Care, Cedars-Sinai), massive integrated systems (Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, CommonSpirit Health), and thousands of physician practices and ambulatory surgery centers. Every one of these organizations depends on skilled medical billing and coding professionals to manage revenue cycles and maintain compliance.

California's Medi-Cal program covers more than 15 million residents (California Department of Health Care Services), creating enormous claims volume that requires accurate coding. The state's diverse payer mix, including commercial insurance, Medicare, Medi-Cal, and workers' compensation, means coders in California often navigate more complex billing scenarios than those in smaller states.

California doesn't require a state license for medical billers or coders. National certification isn't legally mandated but is a practical requirement for employment. For an overview of the field, see What Is Medical Billing and Coding?

California offers more medical billing and coding training programs than most states. According to IPEDS data (2023-2024), seven institutions report programs, including Santa Barbara City College ($1,104/yr), San Diego Mesa College ($1,104/yr), Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, San Joaquin Valley College in Visalia, Asher College in Sacramento, CBD College in Los Angeles, and Laurus College in San Luis Obispo.

California's community college system stands out for affordability. At roughly $46 per unit for in-state students, certificate programs can cost well under $2,000 in tuition alone. National online programs like Ultimate Medical Academy, Penn Foster ($1,049-$1,869), and Western Governors University ($7,710/year) are also available. For a step-by-step guide, see How to Become a Medical Biller and Coder.

California has no state-level licensing requirement for medical billing and coding professionals. Certification is voluntary but functionally required by most employers. The CPC ($425-$499) from AAPC is the most widely recognized credential among California employers. The CCA ($199-$299) from AHIMA is accessible to career changers. The CBCS (~$117) from NHA covers both billing and coding basics at the lowest price.

AAPC data shows certified coders average $62,689 nationally, with three-plus-credential holders averaging $84,414. In California's high-pay market, the combination of state salary premiums and certification bumps can push your earnings well above national averages. See our certification comparison for the full breakdown.

Medical billing and coding professionals in California earn an average of $77,077 per year, or approximately $37.06 per hour (AAPC, 2024). That's roughly $26,800 above the national BLS median of $50,250. Salaries within California vary by region: the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles metro areas tend to pay the most, while the Central Valley and Inland Empire offer lower salaries but also lower housing costs.

The BLS projects 7% growth for medical records specialists nationally from 2024 to 2034. Given California's population, the state will account for a disproportionate share of new positions. Kaiser Permanente alone employs thousands of coders across its California facilities. For detailed information, see our Salary Guide.

California offers the widest range of medical billing and coding employment options of any state. Major employers include Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, Providence, CommonSpirit Health, UCLA Health, Cedars-Sinai, Stanford Health Care, UC San Diego Health, and Scripps Health. Beyond hospitals, the state has approximately 105,000 active physicians (California Medical Board), and their practices need billing and coding support.

Remote work is prevalent in California, with approximately 65.7% of medical coders working from home full time (AAPC, 2024). This is particularly relevant if you're in a high-cost area like the Bay Area or Los Angeles and want to live in a more affordable part of the state while retaining a high salary. National employers such as Optum, Datavant, and The Coding Network actively hire remote coders from California. For more, see our remote jobs guide.