Medical Billing Salary

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 97.92% 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.

$22,801
Starting Salary
$10.96/hr
Starting Hourly
$22,801
Entry Level
$30,486
Career Median Target

Official BLS data · View source

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

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

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$22,801/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$27,750/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$30,486/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$37,447/yr

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

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Richmond. The median salary is $30,486, compared to the national median of $30,349.$20.5K$27.2K$34.0K$40.7K$47.4K$22.8K10th Pctl$27.8K25th Pctl$30.5KMedian$37.4K75th Pctl$45.2K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

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 $30,4860.45% above the national median.

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

Return on Investment

$4,000
Avg VA Program Cost
$22,801
Starting Salary
17.54%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

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 (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 Richmond. Baseline $30,520 in 2025, projected to $23,330 by 2027.$19.0K$24.8K$30.5K$36.3K$42.0K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$30.5K$35.9K$38.8K$36.6K$22.3K$22.8K$23.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$30,520Actual
2022$35,940Actual
2023$38,750Actual
2024$36,610Actual
2025$22,284Actual
2026(current)$22,801Estimated
2027$23,330Projected

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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Richmond start at approximately $22,801/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 $10.96/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 Richmond?

Most medical billing and coding specialists in Richmond progress from the entry-level salary of $22,801 to the area median of $30,486 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $45,162 (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 Richmond?

With a starting salary of $22,801/year in Richmond 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 Richmond?

New medical billing and coding graduates in Richmond typically start near the 10th percentile at $22,801/year, or approximately $10.96/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 Virginia?

To become a licensed medical billing and coding specialist in Virginia, 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 Virginia, 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 Virginia

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 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

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