Medical Billing Salary

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 97.92% 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.

$22,077
Starting Salary
$10.61/hr
Starting Hourly
$22,077
Entry Level
$30,023
Career Median Target

Official BLS data · View source

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

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

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$22,077/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$25,430/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$30,023/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$36,972/yr

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

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Virginia Beach

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Virginia Beach. The median salary is $30,023, compared to the national median of $30,349.$19.9K$26.7K$33.5K$40.3K$47.1K$22.1K10th Pctl$25.4K25th Pctl$30.0KMedian$37.0K75th Pctl$44.9K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

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 $30,0231.07% below the national median.

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

Return on Investment

$4,000
Avg VA Program Cost
$22,077
Starting Salary
18.12%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

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 (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 Virginia Beach. Baseline $30,640 in 2025, projected to $22,589 by 2027.$18.7K$23.7K$28.7K$33.7K$38.6K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$30.6K$34.4K$35.8K$34.3K$21.6K$22.1K$22.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$30,640Actual
2022$34,400Actual
2023$35,800Actual
2024$34,260Actual
2025$21,576Actual
2026(current)$22,077Estimated
2027$22,589Projected

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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach 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 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Virginia Beach start at approximately $22,077/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 $10.61/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 Virginia Beach?

Most medical billing and coding specialists in Virginia Beach progress from the entry-level salary of $22,077 to the area median of $30,023 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $44,865 (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 Virginia Beach?

With a starting salary of $22,077/year in Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?

New medical billing and coding graduates in Virginia Beach typically start near the 10th percentile at $22,077/year, or approximately $10.61/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 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

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