Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Bennington, VT: $13,337 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Bennington, VT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $13,337 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Bennington's local price level (BEA RPP 103.5 — 4% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $12,886 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($17,457) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

New graduates entering the medical billing and coding field in Bennington, Vermont, can expect a starting medical billing and coding specialist salary of approximately $13,337 in 2026, reflecting the lower end of the salary spectrum. This amount is significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $17,457, indicating that entry-level pay is quite modest in comparison. However, there is potential for salary growth as newcomers gain experience. Over the first three to five years, specialists can move from the initial earnings to the first quartile salary of $15,106, gradually working their way up toward the median. Given its projected 2.32% annual growth rate, Bennington's market presents a somewhat stable entry point for new graduates looking to launch their careers, although they may find better opportunities in larger cities or specialized sectors.
About the Bennington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Bennington
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 Bennington
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Bennington, VT typically start between $13,337 and $15,106 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $12,735 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $17,457 — 42.48% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Vermont of $5,000 represents just 37.49% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($13,337/year) in Bennington. 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 Bennington
- 1Research the Bennington market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $13,337 to $15,106, 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 VT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Bennington, 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 Bennington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Bennington'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 Bennington is $12,735 ( 95.49%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $13,337, experienced hygienists can earn up to $26,072.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$10,368
2025 BLS Actual
$13,035
2026 Current Est.
$13,337
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bennington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $10,368 | Actual |
| 2022 | $11,171 | Actual |
| 2023 | $12,359 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,283 | Actual |
| 2025 | $13,035 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13,337 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13,647 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Bennington, VT grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $10,368 in 2021 to $13,035 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $13,647. New graduates entering the Bennington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bennington 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 Bennington
In Bennington, a variety of local employers actively hire entry-level medical billing and coding specialists, providing promising job prospects for new graduates. Physician group practices, outpatient ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs), and third-party coding companies often seek recently certified coders, including those with AAPC (CPC-Certified Professional Coder) or AHIMA (CCS-Certified Coding Specialist) credentials, while also offering structured mentorship opportunities. For those looking to enhance their qualifications, pursuing additional certifications like the optional CRC (Certified Risk Adjustment Coder) or CPMA (Certified Professional Medical Auditor) can boost starting pay significantly. As most medical coding roles have transitioned to remote work, new coders should focus on continuous education through updates in the ICD-10-CM and CPT code sets to remain competitive. Realistically, early-career specialists in Bennington might see gradual pay increases in the first one to three years, especially if they identify and specialize in high-demand areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding, which align with current industry trends.
More salary data for Bennington, VT:
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 Bennington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bennington 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