Medical Billing Salary

Olympia vs Tukwila: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Olympia, WA and Tukwila, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Olympia, WA
$30,610
$14.71/hr
Tukwila, WA
$31,996
$15.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOlympia, WATukwila, WA
Median Salary$30,610$31,996
Hourly Rate$14.71$15.38
Entry Level (P10)$20,563$25,204
25th Percentile$26,854$27,516
75th Percentile$36,711$39,334
Top Earner (P90)$47,826$47,527
Total Employed1704
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Olympia ($30,610) and Tukwila ($31,996) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.OlympiaTukwilaMedian Salary$30,610$31,996Entry Level (P10)$20,563$25,204Top Earner (P90)$47,826$47,527US Median $30,349

Verdict

Olympia and Tukwila are closely matched on overall medical billing and coding specialist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Olympia and Tukwila is $1,386 (4.53%). Tukwila's median is +5.43% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Olympia spans $27,263,Tukwila spans $22,323. Olympia has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Olympia
P10 (Entry)$20,563
P25$26,854
Median$30,610
P75$36,711
P90 (Top)$47,826
Tukwila
P10 (Entry)$25,204
P25$27,516
Median$31,996
P75$39,334
P90 (Top)$47,527

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tukwila ($29,791 effective) pays 0.90% more than Olympia ($29,526 effective).

Olympia
Nominal: $30,610
CoL Index: 103.67
Adjusted: $29,526
Tukwila
Nominal: $31,996
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $29,791

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Olympia if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($47,826)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Tukwila if…

  • Higher median salary ($31,996/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $29,791)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Olympia grew -36.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -49.2% growth in Tukwila over the same period.

Olympia, WA

+-36.2%

$46,910 (2021) → $29,916 (2025)

Tukwila, WA

+-49.2%

$61,549 (2024) → $31,271 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Olympia or Tukwila?

Tukwila has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $31,996/year, compared to Olympia at $30,610/year — a difference of $1,386 (4.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Olympia and Tukwila?

Olympia medical billing and coding specialists earn $14.71/hr while Tukwila hygienists earn $15.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Olympia to Tukwila as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Olympia and Tukwila. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Olympia = $29,526, Tukwila = $29,791), job availability (170 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Olympia vs Tukwila?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $20,563 in Olympia and $25,204 in Tukwila. The Tukwila area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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