Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Edmonds, WA: $23,765 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Edmonds, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $23,765 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Edmonds's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $22,128 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($33,568) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting your career as a medical billing and coding specialist in Edmonds, Washington, can be a promising opportunity, particularly given the projected starting medical billing and coding specialist salary Edmonds shows in 2026. Entry-level positions typically offer a salary around $23,765, significantly lower than the city median of $33,568, indicating a sizeable gap for early-career professionals. However, new graduates can anticipate growth as they gain experience, moving from the lower salary percentiles—P25 at $29,833—into more competitive ranges over the first three to five years. With the local job market demonstrating a 2.32% annual growth rate, now is a favorable time for recent graduates to enter this field, especially considering the shift towards remote work roles that emerged post-2020.
About the Edmonds Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Edmonds
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 Edmonds
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Edmonds, WA typically start between $23,765 and $29,833 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $28,266 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $33,568 — 10.61% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Washington of $4,800 represents just 20.20% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($23,765/year) in Edmonds. 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 Edmonds
- 1Research the Edmonds market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $23,765 to $29,833, 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 WA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Edmonds, 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 Edmonds for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Edmonds'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 Edmonds is $28,266 ( 118.94%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $23,765, experienced hygienists can earn up to $52,031.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$18,474
2025 BLS Actual
$23,226
2026 Current Est.
$23,765
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Edmonds (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18,474 | Actual |
| 2022 | $19,905 | Actual |
| 2023 | $22,021 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $23,226 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23,765 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24,316 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Edmonds, WA grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $18,474 in 2021 to $23,226 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $24,316. New graduates entering the Edmonds job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Edmonds 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 Edmonds
In Edmonds, various employers actively seek new graduates entering the medical billing and coding profession, including third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams, which often provide structured mentorship for apprentice coders. Entry roles are also available in outpatient ASCs and physician group practices, while inpatient coding positions may require advanced credentials like CCS. To enhance entry-level pay in Washington, aspiring coders should consider obtaining credentials like AAPC's CPC or AHIMA's CCS, and stay abreast of essential coding updates such as ICD-10-CM, CPT, and HCPCS. In the initial years, it’s crucial for new grads to cultivate a continuous learning mindset, particularly in specialized areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding, which are experiencing rapid growth. Realistic salary growth through the first three years can lead to more substantial earnings as individuals transition from entry-level roles into mid-range positions through dedication to education and professional development.
More salary data for Edmonds, WA:
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 Edmonds. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Edmonds is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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