Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Portsmouth, VA: $27,406 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Portsmouth, VA earns a median $27,406/year (≈ $13.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $26,556 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Medical billing and coding specialists in Portsmouth, VA are projected to earn a median annual salary of $27,406 in 2026. This figure falls below the national average of $30,349, indicating a competitive but challenging local market for this profession. The salary range in Portsmouth is wide, stretching from $20,006 at the 10th percentile to $42,480 at the 90th percentile, as per estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. Professionals can further enhance their lifetime earnings through credential stacking—starting with the Certified Professional Coder (CPC) designation, advancing to a Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and potentially obtaining a Risk Adjustment Certified Coder (CRC) certification. Investing in these credentials may help specialists capably navigate the ever-evolving landscape of medical coding and billing, especially as remote work trends become more popular.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20,006 | $9.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,255 | $11.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $27,406 | $13.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34,566 | $16.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42,480 | $20.42 |
Median Salary Position
9.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, VA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,474 (2026 est.). At $27,406, the local median is 9.7% below the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portsmouth Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $27,406/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $28,312 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -9.70% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $27,406 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.70% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $28,312.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $27,406 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $26,556 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$24,439
2025 BLS Actual
$26,785
2026 Current Est.
$27,406
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Portsmouth (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $24,439 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,711 | Actual |
| 2023 | $25,549 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,927 | Actual |
| 2025 | $26,785 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27,406 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,042 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $24,439 (2021) to $26,785 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $28,042 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,603 (14.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $20,006 – $23,255 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,255 – $27,406 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $27,406 – $34,566 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $34,566 – $42,480 |
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 Portsmouth
The local job market for medical billing and coding specialists offers some opportunities, with 17 professionals currently employed in Portsmouth. However, the cost of living is a factor to consider, as indicated by a cost-of-living index of 103.2, suggesting that expenses are slightly above the national average. In terms of compensation, employers that typically offer higher pay in Portsmouth include physician group practices, hospital inpatient coding departments, and payer insurance coding audit teams. The variation in salaries can be attributed to factors such as specialty focus—where inpatient CCS roles tend to pay better than outpatient CPC positions—as well as productivity bonuses. Professionals aiming to maximize their pay should consider obtaining specialized credentials, staying updated on guidelines including ICD-10-CM and quarterly CPT updates, and exploring the vast number of remote work options available in the current job market.
More salary data for Portsmouth, 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 $26,785 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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