Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Mountlake Terrace, WA: $25,326 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Mountlake Terrace, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $25,326 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Mountlake Terrace's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $23,581 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($32,046) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
While considering a career as a medical billing and coding specialist in Mountlake Terrace, new graduates can anticipate a starting salary that reflects both local demand and the broader market context. In 2026, the entry-level position pays approximately $25,326, which places it below the city's median annual salary of $32,046. This suggests that recent graduates can bridge the gap to the median salary over time, particularly as they gain experience and build their expertise in coding. In fact, as they progress through their early career, they may realistically expect to reach the 25th percentile wage of $28,342 within a few years. Given the current growth trajectory, Mountlake Terrace represents a promising job market for newcomers to the field, especially as employers seek to fill positions amid a growing healthcare landscape.
About the Mountlake Terrace Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Mountlake Terrace
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 Mountlake Terrace
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Mountlake Terrace, WA typically start between $25,326 and $28,342 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $23,464 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $32,046 — 5.59% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Washington of $4,800 represents just 18.95% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($25,326/year) in Mountlake Terrace. 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 Mountlake Terrace
- 1Research the Mountlake Terrace market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $25,326 to $28,342, 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 Mountlake Terrace, 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 Mountlake Terrace for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Mountlake Terrace'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 Mountlake Terrace is $23,464 ( 92.65%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $25,326, experienced hygienists can earn up to $48,790.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$19,688
2025 BLS Actual
$24,752
2026 Current Est.
$25,326
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Mountlake Terrace (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19,688 | Actual |
| 2022 | $21,213 | Actual |
| 2023 | $23,468 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,966 | Actual |
| 2025 | $24,752 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25,326 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25,914 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Mountlake Terrace, WA grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $19,688 in 2021 to $24,752 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $25,914. New graduates entering the Mountlake Terrace job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mountlake Terrace 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 Mountlake Terrace
In Mountlake Terrace, a variety of employers are open to hiring novice coders, but aspiring professionals should focus on organizations that offer structured mentorship. Third-party coding firms and payer coding audit teams frequently accept graduates for entry CPC roles, while physician group practices and outpatient facilities represent further opportunities. To enhance their starting medical billing and coding specialist salary in Mountlake Terrace, candidates should consider obtaining credentials such as AAPC's CPC-A or AHIMA’s CCS, as these certifications boost initial pay prospects. The field is moving toward 80% remote work, underscoring the need for ongoing education to keep updated with ICD-10-CM, CPT updates, and the increasing importance of risk adjustment coding. New coders can expect steady salary growth in the first three years as they deepen their knowledge via certifications, creating a pathway that could lead to more advanced and lucrative positions in the healthcare coding sector.
More salary data for Mountlake Terrace, 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 Mountlake Terrace. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mountlake Terrace 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