Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Kennewick, WA: $23,394 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Kennewick, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $23,394 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Kennewick's local price level (BEA RPP 100.1 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $23,376 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($34,616) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in Kennewick, Washington, is projected to start at around $23,394, significantly lower than the city's median annual income of $34,616. New graduates can realistically expect to progress in their earnings as they gain experience, moving toward the 25th percentile salary of $28,325 within the first few years. This growth trajectory indicates that early-career specialists have a clear path to increase their income as they develop their skills. Given the average local salaries and cost of living conditions, Kennewick presents a favorable market for aspiring billing and coding professionals looking to start their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Kennewick
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 Kennewick
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Kennewick, WA typically start between $23,394 and $28,325 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $25,857 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $34,616 — 14.06% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Washington of $4,800 represents just 20.52% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($23,394/year) in Kennewick. 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 Kennewick
- 1Research the Kennewick market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $23,394 to $28,325, 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 Kennewick, 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 Kennewick for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Kennewick'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 Kennewick is $25,857 ( 110.53%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $23,394, experienced hygienists can earn up to $49,251.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$30,840
2025 BLS Actual
$22,864
2026 Current Est.
$23,394
2021–2027 Growth
+-22.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Kennewick (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $22,864 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23,394 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23,937 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Kennewick, WA grew -25.9% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,840 in 2021 to $22,864 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $23,937. New graduates entering the Kennewick job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kennewick 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 Kennewick
Employers in Kennewick who are willing to hire new grads include third-party coding firms, payer coding audit teams, and outpatient facilities, all of which often offer entry-level positions that come with structured mentorship. To enhance their earnings potential, candidates should consider obtaining relevant certifications such as the AAPC CPC or CPC-A, which focus on outpatient coding, or the AHIMA CCS for inpatient coding. Additionally, as the industry shifts toward remote working arrangements, the demand for medical coders who are proficient in ICD-10-CM and the latest CPT updates continues to rise. Within the first three years, entry-level positions should yield realistic salary growth, particularly those focusing on high-demand specialties such as risk adjustment and HCC coding. The combination of ongoing education through AAPC or AHIMA certifications and hands-on experience can significantly influence starting medical billing and coding specialist pay in WA.
More salary data for Kennewick, 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 Kennewick. 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