Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Bristol, VA: $27,823 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Bristol, VA earns a median $27,823/year (≈ $13.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $26,960 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation for a medical billing and coding specialist salary in Bristol, Virginia, is projected at a median of $27,823. This figure reflects the local job market's geographic comp adjustments as remote work has become the norm for many in the field. The salary range for specialists in this area spans from a P10 level of $21,428 to a top P90 level of $41,675, illustrating the potential for significant variation based on experience and specialization. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price parity, indicating that while local wages may be lower than the national median of $30,349, Bristol offers a consistent employment outlook for professionals in this field.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21,428 | $10.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24,199 | $11.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $27,823 | $13.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34,501 | $16.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41,675 | $20.03 |
Median Salary Position
8.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,247 (2026 est.). At $27,823, the local median is 8.32% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Bristol median: $27,823/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $28,333 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -8.32% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bristol, VA earn a median of $27,823 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.32% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.80% below the Virginia state average of $28,333.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $27,823 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $26,960 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$24,810
2025 BLS Actual
$27,192
2026 Current Est.
$27,823
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bristol (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $24,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $25,086 | Actual |
| 2023 | $25,937 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,604 | Actual |
| 2025 | $27,192 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27,823 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,468 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $24,810 (2021) to $27,192 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $28,468 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,658 (14.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $21,428 – $24,199 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $24,199 – $27,823 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $27,823 – $34,501 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $34,501 – $41,675 |
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 Bristol
In this market, only six medical billing and coding specialists are currently employed in Bristol, highlighting a relatively small local labor pool. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, professionals must carefully consider their take-home purchasing power. Higher-paying opportunities typically exist within physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments, while remote roles with third-party coding companies are also promising. The salary spread here can often be attributed to varying specialties, such as the premium associated with inpatient CCS coding versus outpatient CPC coding. Credential stacking and subspecialties, like audit and compliance, also greatly influence earning potential. For those looking to maximize medical billing and coding specialist pay in Bristol, obtaining additional certifications from AAPC or AHIMA, focusing on risk adjustment coding, and seeking roles that offer productivity bonuses could significantly enhance salary outcomes.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
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 $27,192 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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