Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Richmond, VA: $22,801 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Richmond, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $22,801 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Richmond's local price level (BEA RPP 97.9 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $23,300 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($30,486) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source

Aspiring medical billing and coding specialists entering the workforce in Richmond, Virginia, can expect to see a starting salary around $22,801 for their first position. This figure represents the lower end of the salary range for the profession and may seem low compared to the city's median annual salary of $30,486. However, new graduates can anticipate a steady growth trajectory within the first 3-5 years. With gaining experience, starting pay can realistically rise to approximately $27,750 at the 25th percentile, inching closer to the median salary. Given Richmond's favorable job market, new graduates have a viable opportunity to build their careers in medical billing and coding, particularly considering the predicted annual growth rate of 2.32% for this field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Richmond
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 Richmond
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Richmond, VA typically start between $22,801 and $27,750 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $22,361 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $30,486 — 0.45% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Virginia of $4,000 represents just 17.54% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($22,801/year) in Richmond. 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 Richmond
- 1Research the Richmond market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $22,801 to $27,750, 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 VA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Richmond, 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 Richmond for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Richmond'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 Richmond is $22,361 ( 98.07%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $22,801, experienced hygienists can earn up to $45,162.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$30,520
2025 BLS Actual
$22,284
2026 Current Est.
$22,801
2021–2027 Growth
+-23.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Richmond (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $22,284 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22,801 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23,330 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Richmond, VA grew -27.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,520 in 2021 to $22,284 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $23,330. New graduates entering the Richmond job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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 Richmond
Employers in Richmond actively hiring entry-level medical billing and coding specialists include third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams that prefer candidates with a CPC-A certification. Additionally, physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) are known to recruit newly credentialed coders. For hospital inpatient coding positions, certifications such as CCS are typically required. To elevate their starting pay, new coders should seek credentials from recognized bodies like AAPC and AHIMA. The transition to remote work has made continuous education more accessible, with core updates to ICD-10-CM and CPT codes necessitating ongoing learning. Additionally, the high demand for risk adjustment coding, particularly in Medicare Advantage and ACA marketplaces, presents significant opportunities for those in the first few years of their careers. Within this specific market, early-career medical billing and coding specialists can reasonably expect gradual salary increases as they develop their skills and acquire further certifications over the first few years.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for medical billing and coding specialists in Richmond in 2026?
How fast do medical billing and coding specialist salaries grow in Richmond?
Is medical billing and coding school worth it in Richmond?
What do new medical billing and coding specialists make right out of school in Richmond?
How do I become a medical billing and coding specialist in Virginia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Richmond. 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