Senior Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Kennewick, WA: $49,251 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of medical billing and coding specialists working in Kennewick, WA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $49,251/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 29-2072. Strip back Kennewick's price premium (BEA RPP 100.1, 0% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $49,212 in average-cost America. The 42% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kennewick, a senior medical billing and coding specialist can see substantial earnings, with top-tier salaries reaching an annual $49,251 in 2026. Compared to the national top earners, who average $30,349, this figure offers a significant incentive for seasoned professionals in the field. The experience premium becomes apparent when you consider that the median annual salary sits at $34,616, creating a gap that reflects the advanced skills and knowledge required to attain higher compensation. Achieving the pinnacle of earnings typically involves specialization in areas such as inpatient coding or risk adjustment, coupled with a proven track record of accuracy and compliance in medical coding, vital for securing a top medical billing and coding specialist salary in Kennewick.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kennewick
Experienced medical billing and coding specialists at the top of the pay scale in Kennewick earn between $37,815 and $49,251 per year (2026 est.). This $25,857 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Kennewick median of $34,616 sits 14.06% above the US median.
Top MBS Salary Comparison
| Level | Kennewick | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $34,616 | $30,349 |
| 75th Percentile | $37,815 | $38,468 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $49,251 | $48,159 |
In Kennewick, experienced medical billing and coding specialists (P90) earn 42.28% 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 Kennewick
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 $34,616 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Kennewick employers.
Specialty Focus
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the medical billing and coding field in Kennewick command premium compensation, often reaching the $37,815–$49,251 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Kennewick 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 Kennewick 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 Kennewick
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
AdvancedKennewick ranks #36 of 50 Washington cities for top earner medical billing and coding specialist salary (90th percentile: $49,251).
Top 10% medical billing and coding specialist compensation in Kennewick ($49,251) is 12.13% below the Washington average P90 ($56,052).
2021 BLS Actual
$71,000
2025 BLS Actual
$48,134
2026 Current Est.
$49,251
2021–2027 Growth
+-29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Kennewick (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $71,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,134 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,251 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,393 | Projected |
Top-earning medical billing and coding specialists (90th percentile) in Kennewick saw their compensation grow -32.2% from $71,000 in 2021 to $48,134 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 $50,393 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kennewick 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 Kennewick
Talented professionals in Kennewick can command premium pay by focusing on specialized coding areas, such as CCS for inpatient services, surgical coding, and HCC coding. The compensation structures can vary greatly depending on the employer, with physician group practices often offering different pay scales than hospital coding departments or independent coding firms. Advanced leadership roles are also accessible for those looking to elevate their careers, with positions such as coding supervisor or HIM director being realistic goals for experienced coders. Additionally, obtaining certifications such as AAPC CPC or AHIMA CCS can meaningfully impact earnings, as these qualifications enhance the coder's appeal in a competitive job market. Factors like specialty, credential stacking, and remote work opportunities play significant roles in pay differentials as well. Overall, navigating the complexities of the medical coding landscape in Kennewick requires ongoing learning and adaptation, particularly regarding the evolving standards of ICD-10-CM and CPT coding updates.
More salary data for Kennewick, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced medical billing and coding specialists make in Kennewick in 2026?
What drives higher medical billing and coding specialist pay in Kennewick?
What certifications boost medical billing and coding specialist salary in Kennewick?
Can experienced medical billing and coding specialists make six figures in Kennewick?
How much does medical billing and coding specialist salary increase over time in Kennewick?
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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 $48,134 for medical billing and coding specialists in the Kennewick 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
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