Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Bethesda, MD: $18,583 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Bethesda, MD earns a median $18,583/year (≈ $8.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Bethesda's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $17,002 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bethesda, Maryland, the projected median salary for medical billing and coding specialists in 2026 stands at $18,583, significantly lower than the national median of $30,349. With a salary range extending from $13,456 at the 10th percentile to $28,804 at the 90th percentile, local pay reflects a broader trend influenced by the rise of remote work, which has expanded opportunities for specialists beyond local boundaries. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data with adjustments for regional cost of living, suggest the importance of considering both local job availability and the potential for remote work environments that might offer higher pay.
About the Bethesda Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13,456 | $6.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15,730 | $7.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $18,583 | $8.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23,786 | $11.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28,804 | $13.84 |
Median Salary Position
38.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bethesda
In Bethesda, MD, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,348 (2026 est.). At $18,583, the local median is 38.77% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bethesda: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bethesda Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Bethesda median: $18,583/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bethesda Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $19,237 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -38.77% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bethesda, MD earn a median of $18,583 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.77% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 3.40% below the Maryland state average of $19,237.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bethesda has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bethesda, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $18,583 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $17,002 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$16,571
2025 BLS Actual
$18,162
2026 Current Est.
$18,583
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bethesda (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $16,571 | Actual |
| 2022 | $16,756 | Actual |
| 2023 | $17,324 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,231 | Actual |
| 2025 | $18,162 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18,583 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19,014 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bethesda metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $16,571 (2021) to $18,162 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $19,014 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,443 (14.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bethesda 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $13,456 – $15,730 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $15,730 – $18,583 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $18,583 – $23,786 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $23,786 – $28,804 |
MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in Bethesda
Currently, Bethesda boasts a workforce of about 18 medical billing and coding specialists, which, while limited, signals a stable local job market. The cost of living index in the area is 109.3, indicating that individuals must navigate higher expenses, potentially impacting their overall take-home pay. Employers in Bethesda such as physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments may offer more competitive salaries compared to third-party coding companies, especially for certain specialties like inpatient CCS coding or roles that require credential stacking. High earners often take advantage of productivity bonuses and remote work structures, which contribute to the sizable spread between lower and higher wages. For professionals interested in maximizing their earnings in this competitive market, focusing on acquiring certifications from recognized bodies like the AAPC or AHIMA and pursuing specialized skills in high-demand areas such as risk adjustment coding can prove beneficial.
More salary data for Bethesda, MD:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $18,162 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Bethesda metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bethesda 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