Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Washington, UT: $18,842 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Washington, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $18,842 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Washington's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $19,207 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($26,507) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates aiming for a position as a medical billing and coding specialist in Washington, Utah, can expect to begin their careers with a starting salary around $18,842, which is significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $26,507. This initial pay represents a typical entry point and is reflective of the skills and experience levels common to recent graduates. Over the first 3 to 5 years, salary growth may gradually progress from this starting point toward the P25 threshold of $23,615, potentially leading closer to the median salary. With a modest growth rate of 2.32% projected for this role, Washington presents a decent job market for newcomers, notwithstanding the initial salary gap compared to both the local median and the national average of $30,349.
About the Washington Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Washington
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Washington
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Washington, UT typically start between $18,842 and $23,615 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $22,244 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $26,507 — 12.66% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Utah of $3,200 represents just 16.98% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($18,842/year) in Washington. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AHIMA/CAHIIM-accredited coding and health information certificate programs plus AAPC-approved training courses. Certificates at community colleges and online training programs are the most affordable; associate degree programs cost more but broaden career options. Exam fees (CCA, CCS, CPC) are typically $299-$499 and are separate from tuition.
MBS Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Washington
- 1Research the Washington market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $18,842 to $23,615, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical billing and coding field — employers in UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Washington, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Washington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Washington's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Compensation Range
The medical billing and coding specialist wage spread in Washington is $22,244 ( 118.06%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $18,842, experienced hygienists can earn up to $41,086.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$14,647
2025 BLS Actual
$18,415
2026 Current Est.
$18,842
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Washington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14,647 | Actual |
| 2022 | $15,782 | Actual |
| 2023 | $17,459 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,976 | Actual |
| 2025 | $18,415 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18,842 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19,279 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Washington, UT grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $14,647 in 2021 to $18,415 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $19,279. New graduates entering the Washington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.32% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your medical billing and coding Career in Washington
In Washington, various employers actively seek entry-level medical billing and coding professionals, particularly third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams that prefer hiring candidates with CPC-A (apprentice coder) certifications. Physician group practices and outpatient surgical centers are also known for offering CPC opportunities to recent graduates, while positions in hospital inpatient coding generally require a CCS designation. To enhance starting pay in Utah, gaining credentials through recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA is invaluable. Continuous learning, especially in ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS coding, is crucial, given that remote work has become the norm post-2020, with an increasing focus on subspecialties like risk adjustment and HCC coding. Over the first three years, ambitious newcomers can expect realistic salary growth as they acquire additional skills and experience, aligning steps in their career with evolving industry demands.
More salary data for Washington, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical billing and coding graduates. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Washington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Washington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical billing and coding specialists (SOC 29-2072).
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