Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $22,077 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Virginia Beach, VA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $22,077 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Virginia Beach's local price level (BEA RPP 97.9 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $22,541 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($30,023) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source

For those entering the profession in Virginia Beach, the expectations for starting medical billing and coding specialist salaries can vary significantly. In 2026, entry-level positions may start around $22,077, which is notably below the city’s median annual salary of $30,023, indicating a substantial gap as new graduates begin their careers. However, this starting pay can progress considerably with experience; those in early-career roles can expect to earn around $25,430 within a few years. Given these figures, fresh graduates have the potential for salary growth as they gain expertise and possibly move toward the median salary with continued professional development. Overall, Virginia Beach seems to offer a viable market for new grads looking to establish themselves in this field, especially as the demand for medical coders remains steady.
Career Earnings Timeline in Virginia Beach
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 Virginia Beach
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Virginia Beach, VA typically start between $22,077 and $25,430 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $22,788 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $30,023 — 1.07% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Virginia of $4,000 represents just 18.12% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($22,077/year) in Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach
- 1Research the Virginia Beach market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $22,077 to $25,430, 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 Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Virginia Beach'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 Virginia Beach is $22,788 ( 103.22%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $22,077, experienced hygienists can earn up to $44,865.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$30,640
2025 BLS Actual
$21,576
2026 Current Est.
$22,077
2021–2027 Growth
+-26.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Virginia Beach (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $21,576 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22,077 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22,589 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Virginia Beach, VA grew -29.6% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,640 in 2021 to $21,576 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $22,589. New graduates entering the Virginia Beach job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach, new graduates can find various employers willing to hire them into entry-level roles, especially with the right credentials. Third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams often recruit apprentice coders who have either obtained their AAPC CPC-A certification or are in the process of completing their training. Outpatient ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) and physician group practices are also viable paths for new graduates seeking to gain hands-on experience. To further enhance starting pay, credentials such as the AAPC CPC or AHIMA CCS can be valuable; these qualifications can elevate new grads’ profiles in a competitive job market. The shift to approximately 80% remote work opportunities in coding means that staying up-to-date with the latest coding systems, including ICD-10-CM and quarterly CPT changes, has become essential. Over the first few years, as new coders grow their skills and specialize in high-demand areas such as risk adjustment coding, realistic salary growth expectations can be promising, making Virginia Beach a conducive environment for new medical billing and coding professionals.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, 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 Virginia Beach. 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