Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Seattle, WA: $38,889 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Seattle, WA earns a median $38,889/year (≈ $18.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Seattle's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.1), that paycheck buys what $34,993 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.3% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Seattle, the projected median annual pay for a medical billing and coding specialist in 2026 is $38,889, significantly higher than the national median of $30,349, representing a 28.14% increase. Salary ranges for these professionals vary widely, with entry-level positions earning around $28,278, while experienced specialists can command salaries upwards of $59,678. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. Factors such as specialty areas—like inpatient CCS, outpatient CPC, and risk adjustment coding—along with the demand for remote work, contribute to the competitive market for medical coders and billers in Seattle, showing a strong demand for skilled talent.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,278 | $13.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,815 | $15.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,889 | $18.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,562 | $23.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,678 | $28.69 |
Median Salary Position
28.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Seattle
In Seattle, WA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,400 (2026 est.). At $38,889, the local median is 28.14% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Seattle: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Seattle Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Seattle median: $38,889/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Seattle Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $34,629 | +12.30% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +28.14% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Seattle, WA earn a median of $38,889 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.14% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 12.30% above the Washington state average of $34,629.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Seattle has a cost of living 11.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Seattle, WA has a cost-of-living index of 111.133 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $38,889 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $34,993 — a 10.02% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$59,120
2025 BLS Actual
$38,007
2026 Current Est.
$38,889
2021–2027 Growth
+-32.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Seattle (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $59,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,007 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,889 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,791 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Seattle metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -35.7% from $59,120 (2021) to $38,007 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,791 by 2027 — a total increase of $-19,329 (-32.69%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Seattle 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) | $28,278 – $31,815 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,815 – $38,889 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,889 – $48,562 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,562 – $59,678 |
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 Seattle
Seattle's job market for medical billing and coding specialists is robust, with approximately 2,830 individuals working in this field, reflecting a healthy growth rate of 2.32% annually over the next five years. However, the cost of living index, at 111.133, suggests that the local market's purchasing power can be constrained. Employers in Seattle that tend to pay the most include hospital inpatient coding departments and consulting firms, which often require specialized skills or offer productivity bonuses. Factors influencing the variation in salaries include credential stacking (CPC, CCS, CRC), subspecialty expertise in audits or compliance, and whether positions are remote or in-office. For those navigating this evolving industry, enhancing skill sets through continuous education and certification from organizations like AAPC or AHIMA can leverage career advancement and improve earning potential in the Seattle WA area.
More salary data for Seattle, WA:
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 $38,007 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Seattle 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
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