Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Burlington, VT: $27,460 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Burlington, VT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $27,460 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 100.9 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $27,202 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($35,400) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, Vermont, new graduates embarking on a career as medical billing and coding specialists can expect starting salaries around $27,460, significantly below the city's median of $35,400. This initial pay reflects the entry-level nature of the position, with many new coders likely experiencing a gradual increase as they gain experience, eventually reaching around $29,085 after mastering foundational skills. The market in Burlington is promising for aspiring professionals entering this field, particularly due to the ongoing demand for coding specialists across various sectors, including healthcare facilities and insurance companies. Overall, the potential for salary growth in the first three to five years makes this a viable career option for those willing to invest time in further education and training.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
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 Burlington
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Burlington, VT typically start between $27,460 and $29,085 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $26,325 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $35,400 — 16.64% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Vermont of $5,000 represents just 18.21% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($27,460/year) in Burlington. 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 Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $27,460 to $29,085, 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 Burlington, 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 Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington'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 Burlington is $26,325 ( 95.87%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $27,460, experienced hygienists can earn up to $53,785.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$36,910
2025 BLS Actual
$26,837
2026 Current Est.
$27,460
2021–2027 Growth
+-23.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Burlington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $26,837 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27,460 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,097 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, VT grew -27.3% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $36,910 in 2021 to $26,837 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $28,097. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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 Burlington
Employers in Burlington that typically hire entry-level graduates include third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams, which often provide mentorship for those with AAPC certifications like CPC-A. Additionally, physician group practices and outpatient surgery centers frequently offer entry-level positions for individuals just starting their careers. To enhance earning potential, obtaining credentials such as CPC or CCS can be advantageous. As the medical coding landscape shifted to approximately 80% remote work after 2020, professionals now face an increasing need for continuous education to stay updated on codes like ICD-10-CM and quarterly CPT guidelines. In the first few years, entry-level coders can realistically expect incremental salary growth, especially within high-demand specialties like risk adjustment and HCC coding, reflecting the ongoing evolution of the industry in Vermont.
More salary data for Burlington, 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 Burlington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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