CA · El Cajon · Updated October 15, 2026

Medical Coder jobs in El Cajon, CA

Medical Coders in the El Cajon area earn a median of $26.92 per hour, about $55,980 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $22.54 and $36.61. That ranks 46th of 369 U.S. metro areas for medical coder pay, and 179th of 328 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 18 hospitals in the El Cajon metro area. Tell us your role and we email current openings near El Cajon.

Medical Coder pay in El Cajon, CA

The metro median is 6% below the California statewide median of $28.70 per hour. Nationally the median is $24.16 per hour. BLS counts about 1,680 medical records specialists employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area, 1.1 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.90).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$19.64$40,85019% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$22.54$46,8807% below U.S. median
Median$26.92$55,98011% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$36.61$76,15052% above U.S. median
Top 10%$48.53$100,940101% above U.S. median

How El Cajon ranks

  • 46th of 369 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 179th of 328 after adjusting for local prices
  • 10th of 24 California metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Medical Records Specialists (SOC 29-2072), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in El Cajon

  • Overall prices in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad run 12% above the U.S. average (index 111.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 79% above the U.S. average (index 179.3).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $26.92 median hour buys what $24.06 buys at the national price level, in line with the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Estimate your El Cajon paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$969
  • Per year: $48,456
  • Per month: $4,038

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Open Medical Coder roles in California

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in El Cajon as they open.

PermanentPosted today

OP Coder Auditor Trainee

Central Maine Healthcare Corporation · Ontario, CA

$26.04–$29.69/ hour
  • FULL_TIME
  • Req 286020
New this week
View role

All Medical Coder jobs in California

Hospitals in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area

CMS lists 18 hospitals in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Uc San Diego Health Hillcrest - Hillcrest Med Ctr
San Diego, CA
Acute careNonprofit5 of 5Yes
Va San Diego Healthcare System
San Diego, CA
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal5 of 5Yes
Grossmont Hospital
La Mesa, CA
Acute careGovernment and federal4 of 5Yes
Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Diego
San Diego, CA
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Kaiser Foundation Hospital - San Marcos
San Marcos, CA
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Scripps Memorial Hospital - Encinitas
Encinitas, CA
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Scripps Mercy Hospital
San Diego, CA
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center
Chula Vista, CA
Acute careFor-profit4 of 5Yes
Sharp Coronado Hospital And Hlthcr Ctr
Coronado, CA
Acute careFor-profit4 of 5Yes
Sharp Memorial Hospital
San Diego, CA
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Medical Coder pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Santee, CA4 mi$26.92/hr59,104
La Mesa, CA4 mi$26.92/hr60,767
Temecula, CA49 mi$25.70/hr112,431

Medical Coder jobs in California · Medical Coder jobs nationwide

What employers ask for, and tax basics in California

Medical coders translate diagnoses and procedures into billing and reporting codes.

  • CPC, CCS or equivalent coding credential
  • Knowledge of ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS
  • Experience with encoder and EHR systems

California taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

California state guide

Other healthcare roles in El Cajon

El Cajon city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do medical coders make in El Cajon, CA?

Medical Coders in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad metro area have a median pay of $26.92 per hour, about $55,980 a year. The middle half earn between $22.54 and $36.61 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is El Cajon a good place for medical coders once cost of living is counted?

San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad ranks 179th of 328 metro areas for medical coder pay after adjusting for local prices, and 46th of 369 before adjusting. Overall prices run 12% above the U.S. average.

Where do medical coders work in El Cajon?

CMS lists 18 hospitals in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad area, led by Uc San Diego Health Hillcrest - Hillcrest Med Ctr. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a California license to work in El Cajon as a medical coder?

CPC, CCS or equivalent coding credential. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what California requires for your role with the California licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Does Valorem Health place medical coders in El Cajon?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in El Cajon and across California. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near El Cajon.

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What do employers near El Cajon pay medical coders? Get the report.

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    Pay for your role at other hospitals

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    What they are offering now

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Pay report · Coder near El Cajon, CA
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Coder pay reportTop-paying employers shown · your California list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other employers

  • Comcare Home Health, IncGlendale, CA · 1 wage offer$32.56/ hr$33–$33
  • CommonSpirit HealthCentennial, CO · 3 postings$34.69/ hr$26–$44
  • Banner HealthArizona, AZ · 3 postings$31.92/ hr$26–$44
  • Avera HealthSioux Falls, SD · 3 postings$31.75/ hr$24–$46

Median pay per hour, with the range each employer published or reported in federal filings. Request your California list

2What they are offering now

Low$27Median$37.59High$49

4 Coder postings with published pay in California, 4 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 4 Coder roles

  1. Specialty Physician Coder, OBGYNPermanent
    $33.79–$49.00/ hour
    MemorialCare · Fountain Valley, CA · posted today
  2. OP Coder Auditor TraineePermanent
    $26.04–$29.69/ hour
    Central Maine Healthcare Corporation · Ontario, CA · posted today

+ 2 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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