Senior Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Burien, WA: $53,406 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of medical billing and coding specialists working in Burien, WA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $53,406/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2072. Strip back Burien's price premium (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $49,726 in average-cost America. The 55% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Salaries for experienced medical billing and coding specialists in Burien, WA, reflect the city's robust demand for skilled professionals. The 2026 projected salary for top earners, reaching up to $53,406, distinctly underscores the potential for advanced compensation in this field. This figure significantly surpasses the national top earners' average of $30,349, indicating a strong local market for those with comprehensive expertise. The wide gap between the median annual salary of $34,455 and the top-tier earnings illustrates the experience premium available to seasoned specialists who elevate their skills through specialized certifications and roles. Achieving such salary levels often requires a combination of years in the field, advanced credentials, and mastery of specific coding areas.
About the Burien Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burien
Experienced medical billing and coding specialists at the top of the pay scale in Burien earn between $44,103 and $53,406 per year (2026 est.). This $27,682 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Burien median of $34,455 sits 13.53% above the US median.
Top MBS Salary Comparison
| Level | Burien | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $34,455 | $30,349 |
| 75th Percentile | $44,103 | $38,468 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $53,406 | $48,159 |
In Burien, experienced medical billing and coding specialists (P90) earn 55.00% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay in Burien
Advanced Certifications in Washington
WA medical billing and coding specialists with additional specialty certifications within the medical billing and coding field earn significantly above the $34,455 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Burien employers.
Specialty Focus
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the medical billing and coding field in Burien command premium compensation, often reaching the $44,103–$53,406 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Burien metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced medical billing and coding specialists who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured medical billing and coding specialists in Burien with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Washington who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Career & Wage Growth Path in Burien
Clinical Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Medical Billing and Coding Specialist
5-10 yearsMedical Billing and Coding Specialist Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBurien ranks #16 of 50 Washington cities for top earner medical billing and coding specialist salary (90th percentile: $53,406).
Top 10% medical billing and coding specialist compensation in Burien ($53,406) is 4.72% below the Washington average P90 ($56,052).
2021 BLS Actual
$47,725
2025 BLS Actual
$52,195
2026 Current Est.
$53,406
2021–2027 Growth
+14.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Burien (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47,725 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,535 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,047 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,731 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,195 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,406 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,645 | Projected |
Top-earning medical billing and coding specialists (90th percentile) in Burien saw their compensation grow 9.4% from $47,725 in 2021 to $52,195 in 2025, based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.32% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $54,645 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burien 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.
Maximizing Your Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Earnings in Burien
In Burien, certain specializations within medical billing and coding facilitate higher compensation opportunities. For example, areas such as inpatient coding (CCS), outpatient coding (CPC), and risk adjustment coding (CRC) are particularly lucrative due to their complexity and demand. Employers vary dramatically in their pay structures; while physician group practices and hospital coding departments offer competitive pay, third-party coding companies often provide flexibility with remote positions. Advancement possibilities abound—individuals can pursue roles like coding supervisor or HIM director, further enhancing their earning potential. Additionally, the value of credential stacking cannot be understated; combinations of AAPC and AHIMA certifications lead to notable increases in pay. As remote work continues to dominate this sector, professionals in Burien must adapt to ongoing changes in coding regulations, such as ICD-10-CM updates and quarterly CPT modifications, ensuring they remain competitive and well-compensated in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Burien, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced medical billing and coding specialists make in Burien in 2026?
What drives higher medical billing and coding specialist pay in Burien?
What certifications boost medical billing and coding specialist salary in Burien?
Can experienced medical billing and coding specialists make six figures in Burien?
How much does medical billing and coding specialist salary increase over time in Burien?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $52,195 for medical billing and coding specialists in the Burien metro area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burien 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