Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Washington: $36,875 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median medical billing and coding specialist pay sits at $36,875/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $34,334 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bellevue ($38,379), Seattle ($38,007), Tacoma ($37,373).

In Washington, the average median salary for medical billing and coding specialists is projected to be $36,875 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $30,349, representing a 21.5% increase. Bellevue emerges as the highest-paying city with a salary of $39,269, while Lacey offers the lowest at $30,359, highlighting a salary gap of $8,910. This difference is driven by factors such as the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the presence of larger medical facilities in urban areas. Washington's specific regulations, such as state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, also play a role in shaping the job market for billing and coding specialists. The demand for these positions is further fueled by an ongoing need for accurate healthcare documentation, particularly as the population ages and healthcare accessibility increases. The overall job market shows a steady growth rate of 2.32% annually, with an employment total of 4,734 specialists across the state. Notable cities like Seattle, Tacoma, Mount Vernon, and Vancouver offer salaries ranging from $36,965 to $38,889, reflecting varied opportunities based on geographical and economic factors. This outlook indicates a healthy and stable career path for those entering this field in Washington.
Washington Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $20,563 (lowest entry-level) to $60,867 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington medical billing and coding specialists earn 21.50% more than the national median (+$6,526/year difference).
Washington Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist salaries in Washington range from $26,758 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $56,052 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $36,875. The Washington median is $6,526 above the US national median of $30,349. The average hourly rate is $17.73/hr. Approximately 4,734 medical billing and coding specialists are employed across 50 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$54,139
2025 BLS Actual
$36,039
2026 Current Est.
$36,875
2021–2027 Growth
+-30.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Washington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $54,139 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,728 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,739 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,612 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,039 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,875 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,731 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -33.4% from $54,139 (2021) to $36,039 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,731 by 2027 — a total increase of $-16,408 (-30.31%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
Best Value Cities for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for medical billing and coding specialists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longview | $36,023 | 97.545 | $36,930 |
| Mount Vernon | $37,602 | 102.443 | $36,705 |
| Bellevue | $39,269 | 107.4 | $36,563 |
| Tacoma | $38,240 | 107.4 | $35,605 |
| Seattle | $38,889 | 111.133 | $34,993 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $26,758 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $36,875 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $56,052 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue | $39,269 |
| 2 | Seattle | $38,889 |
| 3 | Tacoma | $38,240 |
| 4 | Mount Vernon | $37,602 |
| 5 | Vancouver | $36,965 |
| 6 | Longview | $36,023 |
| 7 | Renton | $35,520 |
| 8 | Bellingham | $35,387 |
| 9 | Richland | $35,337 |
| 10 | Everett | $35,176 |
| 11 | Marysville | $34,913 |
| 12 | Bremerton | $34,830 |
| 13 | Shoreline | $34,720 |
| 14 | Kennewick | $34,616 |
| 15 | Redmond | $34,583 |
| 16 | Kent | $34,556 |
| 17 | Kirkland | $34,498 |
| 18 | Burien | $34,455 |
| 19 | Spokane Valley | $34,326 |
| 20 | Federal Way | $34,304 |
| 21 | Des Moines | $34,296 |
| 22 | Auburn | $34,216 |
| 23 | Lakewood | $34,203 |
| 24 | Issaquah | $34,183 |
| 25 | Sammamish | $33,959 |
| 26 | University Place | $33,947 |
| 27 | SeaTac | $33,920 |
| 28 | Pasco | $33,775 |
| 29 | Spokane | $33,679 |
| 30 | Walla Walla | $33,602 |
| 31 | Edmonds | $33,568 |
| 32 | Lake Stevens | $33,479 |
| 33 | Lynnwood | $33,458 |
| 34 | Moses Lake | $33,393 |
| 35 | Bothell | $33,370 |
| 36 | Pullman | $33,221 |
| 37 | Puyallup | $33,147 |
| 38 | Ellensburg | $33,022 |
| 39 | Maple Valley | $32,932 |
| 40 | Camas | $32,848 |
| 41 | Oak Harbor | $32,710 |
| 42 | Kenmore | $32,499 |
| 43 | Covington | $32,496 |
| 44 | Mountlake Terrace | $32,046 |
| 45 | Tukwila | $31,996 |
| 46 | Yakima | $31,156 |
| 47 | Wenatchee | $30,896 |
| 48 | Tumwater | $30,890 |
| 49 | Olympia | $30,610 |
| 50 | Lacey | $30,359 |
More Washington Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in Washington cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical billing and coding specialists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical billing and coding specialists.
Compare Cities in Washington
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical billing and coding specialists in Washington?
How does Washington medical billing and coding specialist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in Washington?
How many medical billing and coding specialists are employed in Washington?
Which Washington city offers the best value for medical billing and coding specialists?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical billing and coding specialist compensation across Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical billing and coding specialistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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