Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Shoreline, WA: $24,590 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Shoreline, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $24,590 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Shoreline's local price level (BEA RPP 107.4 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $22,896 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($34,720) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the medical billing and coding field in Shoreline, Washington, the starting medical billing and coding specialist salary is projected to be around $24,590 per year in 2026. This entry-level figure is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $34,720, highlighting a significant gap that newcomers might experience as they begin their careers. However, within the first few years, early-career professionals can anticipate realistic salary growth, moving from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile of $28,869, and potentially approaching the median as they gain valuable experience. Given a growth rate of 2.32% per year over the next several years, Shoreline presents a reasonable market for those starting out, especially considering the potential for remote work in this sector.
About the Shoreline Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Shoreline
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 Shoreline
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Shoreline, WA typically start between $24,590 and $28,869 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $29,226 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $34,720 — 14.4% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Washington of $4,800 represents just 19.52% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($24,590/year) in Shoreline. 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 Shoreline
- 1Research the Shoreline market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $24,590 to $28,869, 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 Shoreline, 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 Shoreline for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Shoreline'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 Shoreline is $29,226 ( 118.85%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $24,590, experienced hygienists can earn up to $53,816.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$19,115
2025 BLS Actual
$24,032
2026 Current Est.
$24,590
2021–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Shoreline (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19,115 | Actual |
| 2022 | $20,596 | Actual |
| 2023 | $22,785 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,536 | Actual |
| 2025 | $24,032 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24,590 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25,160 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Shoreline, WA grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $19,115 in 2021 to $24,032 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $25,160. New graduates entering the Shoreline job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shoreline 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 Shoreline
Looking at the local job market, new graduates seeking opportunities in medical billing and coding may find employment with various entities, including third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams that often hire CPC-A coders for entry-level roles. Additionally, outpatient settings may provide excellent starting positions, while hospitals typically require more advanced certifications such as CCS for inpatient coding. To enhance starting pay, obtaining credentials from recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA can be beneficial, with certifications such as CPC-A being particularly relevant for outpatient coding roles. Continuous education is vital, especially due to the ongoing updates in ICD-10-CM and quarterly CPT code changes, alongside the burgeoning field of risk adjustment and HCC coding. With strategic career planning, new graduates can expect their salaries to increase within the first few years, making Shoreline an appealing option for aspiring medical billing and coding specialists.
More salary data for Shoreline, 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 Shoreline. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Shoreline 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