Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Roanoke, VA: $18,783 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Roanoke, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $18,783 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Roanoke's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $20,063 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($27,875) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
New graduates looking to break into medical billing and coding in Roanoke, VA, can expect a starting medical billing and coding specialist salary of around $18,783 in 2026. This figure marks a significant gap when compared to the city's projected median salary of $27,875, showcasing the entry-level challenges newly qualified professionals may face in the job market. However, as early-career specialists gain experience, they typically see a progression toward the P25 salary of $22,153 and likely reach the median salary within their first few years. Given the city's relatively lower cost of living index of 93.618, Roanoke remains an appealing option for fresh graduates entering this field, particularly with the promising outlook of the occupation growing at an annual rate of 2.32%.
Career Earnings Timeline in Roanoke
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 Roanoke
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Roanoke, VA typically start between $18,783 and $22,153 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $21,703 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $27,875 — 8.15% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Virginia of $4,000 represents just 21.30% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($18,783/year) in Roanoke. 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 Roanoke
- 1Research the Roanoke market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $18,783 to $22,153, 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 Roanoke, 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 Roanoke for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Roanoke's below-average 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 Roanoke is $21,703 ( 115.55%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $18,783, experienced hygienists can earn up to $40,486.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$23,540
2025 BLS Actual
$18,357
2026 Current Est.
$18,783
2021–2027 Growth
+-18.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Roanoke (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $23,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $18,357 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18,783 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19,219 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Roanoke, VA grew -22.0% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,540 in 2021 to $18,357 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $19,219. New graduates entering the Roanoke job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Roanoke 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 Roanoke
Employers in Roanoke that hire entry-level talent often include third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams, which seek out candidates with AAPC CPC-A credentials for mentorship programs. Additionally, physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) actively recruit entry-level coders, but opportunities in hospital inpatient coding typically require CCS certification. Graduates should consider pursuing certifications from recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA, focusing on proficiency in ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS code sets to enhance their starting pay. As the medical coding profession has shifted to approximately 80% remote work since 2020, new hires must also adapt to ongoing changes in coding standards and keep up with quarterly updates. Professionals specializing in risk adjustment and HCC coding, particularly in Medicare Advantage and ACA marketplaces, represent high-growth areas where new coders can expect their salaries to increase appreciably in the first three years of their careers.
More salary data for Roanoke, VA:
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 Roanoke. 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