Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Lake Stevens, WA: $26,176 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Lake Stevens, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $26,176 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lake Stevens's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $24,372 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($33,479) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those entering the field of medical billing and coding in Lake Stevens, Washington, the starting medical billing and coding specialist salary is projected to be around $26,176 in 2026. While this figure is significantly lower than the median salary of $33,479 for all specialists in the area, it offers a foundation for new graduates to build upon as they gain experience. Over time, entry-level coders can realistically expect to progress towards approximately $29,647 after gaining their footing in the job market. Given the annual growth rate of 2.32%, this area is favorable for newcomers, providing opportunities for advancement and a supportive environment for skill development right from the start.
About the Lake Stevens Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lake Stevens
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 Lake Stevens
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Lake Stevens, WA typically start between $26,176 and $29,647 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $23,971 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $33,479 — 10.31% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Washington of $4,800 represents just 18.34% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($26,176/year) in Lake Stevens. 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 Lake Stevens
- 1Research the Lake Stevens market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $26,176 to $29,647, 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 Lake Stevens, 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 Lake Stevens for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lake Stevens'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 Lake Stevens is $23,971 ( 91.58%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $26,176, experienced hygienists can earn up to $50,147.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$20,348
2025 BLS Actual
$25,582
2026 Current Est.
$26,176
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Lake Stevens (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $20,348 | Actual |
| 2022 | $21,924 | Actual |
| 2023 | $24,255 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,591 | Actual |
| 2025 | $25,582 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26,176 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26,783 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Lake Stevens, WA grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $20,348 in 2021 to $25,582 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $26,783. New graduates entering the Lake Stevens job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens
Various employers in Lake Stevens actively seek out newly credentialed medical billing and coding specialists. Physician group practices, outpatient ambulatory surgical centers, and third-party coding firms frequently hire those with the CPC-A credential, often providing structured mentorship for recent graduates. To enhance starting pay in WA, aspiring coders should consider credentials such as AAPC’s CPC or AHIMA’s CCS, depending on their career focus, whether outpatient or inpatient. The shift to remote work post-2020 has created further opportunities for entry-level positions, especially in high-demand areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding. In the first few years, new grads can anticipate gradual salary increases as they continue their education and adapt to ongoing industry changes, including the latest ICD-10-CM and CPT coding updates.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, 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 Lake Stevens. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lake Stevens 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