Entry-Level Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Wenatchee, WA: $25,578 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical billing and coding specialists entering the Wenatchee, WA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $25,578 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wenatchee's local price level (BEA RPP 103.9 — 4% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $24,629 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($30,896) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source

For those entering the medical billing and coding profession in Wenatchee, WA, the initial salary is projected to be around $25,578 based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This figure represents the starting point for new graduates who aspire to build their careers in this field. When comparing this starting medical billing and coding specialist salary Wenatchee to the median salary of $30,896, there’s a notable gap, illustrating that early career professionals will need time to reach this median level. Over the first three to five years, salaries can grow, eventually approaching the P25 mark of $29,346 as individuals gain experience and refine their skills. With a favorable growth rate of 2.32% annually, Wenatchee offers solid prospects for new graduates, making it a viable market for those embarking on their coding careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wenatchee
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 Wenatchee
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists in Wenatchee, WA typically start between $25,578 and $29,346 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $13,459 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $30,896 — 1.8% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical billing and coding program cost in Washington of $4,800 represents just 18.77% of the starting medical billing and coding specialist pay ($25,578/year) in Wenatchee. 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 Wenatchee
- 1Research the Wenatchee market: entry-level medical billing and coding specialist pay ranges from $25,578 to $29,346, 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 Wenatchee, 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 Wenatchee for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wenatchee'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 Wenatchee is $13,459 ( 52.62%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $25,578, experienced hygienists can earn up to $39,037.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$37,500
2025 BLS Actual
$24,998
2026 Current Est.
$25,578
2021–2027 Growth
+-30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Wenatchee (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $23,701 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $24,998 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25,578 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26,171 | Projected |
Entry-level medical billing and coding specialist compensation (10th percentile) in Wenatchee, WA grew -33.3% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $37,500 in 2021 to $24,998 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $26,171. New graduates entering the Wenatchee job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wenatchee 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 Wenatchee
In Wenatchee, several employers are seeking entry-level medical billing and coding specialists, particularly third-party coding companies and payer coding audit teams that are inclined to hire CPC-A coders. Physician group practices and outpatient ambulatory surgical centers also provide opportunities for recent graduates, typically in entry-level CPC roles. However, those looking to work in hospital inpatient coding will need to pursue CCS certification. To enhance their starting pay, new grads should consider credentials from reputable organizations such as AAPC and AHIMA, focusing on essential certifications like CPC, CPC-A, or even CCS for inpatient roles. Given that medical coding has shifted to approximately 80% remote work post-2020, continuous learning is crucial, particularly with the frequent updates to ICD-10-CM and CPT code sets. Moreover, knowledge in high-demand subspecialties, such as risk adjustment and HCC coding, is highly beneficial. Realistically, new entrants can anticipate salary increases as they gain relevant experience and certifications, allowing them to progress beyond their initial salaries in the Wenatchee job market.
More salary data for Wenatchee, 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 Wenatchee. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-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