Medical Billing Salary

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).

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Washington - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Washington medical billing and coding specialist salary overview (2026)
$36,875
Avg Median Salary
$17.73
Avg Hourly Rate
4,734
Metro Employed
50
Cities

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

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$26,758
avg across 50 cities
Median
$36,875
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$56,052
avg across 50 cities

Overall salary range in Washington: $20,563 (lowest entry-level) to $60,867 (highest top earner)

Washington vs National Average

Washington
$36,875
National Median
$30,349

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)

Vertical bar chart showing Washington medical billing and coding specialist salary percentiles: 10th percentile $26,758, 25th $30,660, Median $36,875, 75th $45,747, 90th $56,052. US national median is $30,349.$15.7K$31.4K$47.1K$62.8K$26.8K10thEntry Level$30.7K25thEarly Career$36.9KMedianMid Career$45.7K75thExperienced$56.1K90thTop EarnerUS Median $30.3K

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 (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical billing and coding specialists in Washington. Baseline $54,139 in 2025, projected to $37,731 by 2027.$30.5K$40.2K$49.8K$59.5K$69.1K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$54.1K$55.7K$59.7K$63.6K$36.0K$36.9K$37.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$54,139Actual
2022$55,728Actual
2023$59,739Actual
2024$63,612Actual
2025$36,039Actual
2026(current)$36,875Estimated
2027$37,731Projected

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 (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

#1
Bellevue
26 employed · $18.88/hr
$39,269
+6.49% vs avg
#2
Seattle
2,830 employed · $18.70/hr
$38,889
+5.46% vs avg
#3
Tacoma
56 employed · $18.39/hr
$38,240
+3.70% vs avg
#4
Mount Vernon
100 employed · $18.08/hr
$37,602
+1.97% vs avg
#5
Vancouver
37 employed · $17.77/hr
$36,965
+0.24% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Washington

CityMedian Salary
Lacey$30,359
Olympia$30,610
Tumwater$30,890
Wenatchee$30,896
Yakima$31,156

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.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Longview$36,02397.545$36,930
Mount Vernon$37,602102.443$36,705
Bellevue$39,269107.4$36,563
Tacoma$38,240107.4$35,605
Seattle$38,889111.133$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 LevelEstimated 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

#CityMedian Salary
1Bellevue$39,269
2Seattle$38,889
3Tacoma$38,240
4Mount Vernon$37,602
5Vancouver$36,965
6Longview$36,023
7Renton$35,520
8Bellingham$35,387
9Richland$35,337
10Everett$35,176
11Marysville$34,913
12Bremerton$34,830
13Shoreline$34,720
14Kennewick$34,616
15Redmond$34,583
16Kent$34,556
17Kirkland$34,498
18Burien$34,455
19Spokane Valley$34,326
20Federal Way$34,304
21Des Moines$34,296
22Auburn$34,216
23Lakewood$34,203
24Issaquah$34,183
25Sammamish$33,959
26University Place$33,947
27SeaTac$33,920
28Pasco$33,775
29Spokane$33,679
30Walla Walla$33,602
31Edmonds$33,568
32Lake Stevens$33,479
33Lynnwood$33,458
34Moses Lake$33,393
35Bothell$33,370
36Pullman$33,221
37Puyallup$33,147
38Ellensburg$33,022
39Maple Valley$32,932
40Camas$32,848
41Oak Harbor$32,710
42Kenmore$32,499
43Covington$32,496
44Mountlake Terrace$32,046
45Tukwila$31,996
46Yakima$31,156
47Wenatchee$30,896
48Tumwater$30,890
49Olympia$30,610
50Lacey$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?

The average median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Washington is $36,875/year across 50 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $30,359 in Lacey to $39,269 in Bellevue. This makes Washington one of the higher-paying states, at 21.50% above the national median of $30,349. The state employs approximately 4,734 medical billing and coding specialists.

What is the highest paying city for medical billing and coding specialists in Washington?

Bellevue offers the highest medical billing and coding specialist salary in Washington at $39,269/year ($18.88/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Bellevue ($39,269), Seattle ($38,889), Tacoma ($38,240). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for medical billing and coding services, and competition among employers for licensed medical billing and coding specialists.

How does Washington medical billing and coding specialist pay compare to the national average?

Washington's average medical billing and coding specialist salary of $36,875 is 21.50% above the national median of $30,349 in 2026. The state employs approximately 4,734 medical billing and coding specialists across 50 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in Washington?

Entry-level medical billing and coding specialists (10th percentile) in Washington earn approximately $26,758/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $20,563 in lower-paying areas to $28,278 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many medical billing and coding specialists are employed in Washington?

Washington employs approximately 4,734 medical billing and coding specialists across 50 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the medical billing and coding field expands and the population ages.

Which Washington city offers the best value for medical billing and coding specialists?

When adjusted for cost of living, Longview offers the highest purchasing power for medical billing and coding specialists in Washington, with an adjusted salary of $36,930 (nominal: $36,023, CoL index: 97.545). This means your dollar goes 3% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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

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