Medical Billing Salary

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 103.54% 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.

$13,337
Starting Salary
$6.42/hr
Starting Hourly
$13,337
Entry Level
$17,457
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Entry Level Salary in Bennington, VT — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Bennington, VT medical billing and coding specialist entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$13,337/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$15,106/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$17,457/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$21,548/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bennington

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Bennington. The median salary is $17,457, compared to the national median of $30,349.$12.0K$17.0K$21.9K$26.9K$31.9K$13.3K10th Pctl$15.1K25th Pctl$17.5KMedian$21.5K75th Pctl$26.1K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

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 $17,45742.48% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical billing and coding specialist pay in the Bennington metro area.

Return on Investment

$5,000
Avg VT Program Cost
$13,337
Starting Salary
37.49%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

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 (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Bennington. Baseline $10,368 in 2025, projected to $13,647 by 2027.$5.0K$14.4K$23.8K$33.2K$42.7K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$10.4K$11.2K$12.4K$37.3K$13.0K$13.3K$13.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$10,368Actual
2022$11,171Actual
2023$12,359Actual
2024$37,283Actual
2025$13,035Actual
2026(current)$13,337Estimated
2027$13,647Projected

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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bennington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for medical billing and coding specialists in Bennington in 2026?

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Bennington start at approximately $13,337/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $6.41/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do medical billing and coding specialist salaries grow in Bennington?

Most medical billing and coding specialists in Bennington progress from the entry-level salary of $13,337 to the area median of $17,457 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $26,072 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is medical billing and coding school worth it in Bennington?

With a starting salary of $13,337/year in Bennington and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new medical billing and coding specialists recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new medical billing and coding specialists make right out of school in Bennington?

New medical billing and coding graduates in Bennington typically start near the 10th percentile at $13,337/year, or approximately $6.41/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in Vermont?

To become a licensed medical billing and coding specialist in Vermont, you typically need postsecondary certificate or associate degree in medical billing and coding from an accredited program, plus optional professional certification, then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Vermont, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some medical billing and coding specialists pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Vermont

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

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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