Medical Billing Salary

Seattle vs Yakima: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Seattle, WA and Yakima, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Seattle, WA
$38,889
$18.70/hr
Yakima, WA
$31,156
$14.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WAYakima, WA
Median Salary$38,889$31,156
Hourly Rate$18.70$14.98
Entry Level (P10)$28,278$26,112
25th Percentile$31,815$26,943
75th Percentile$48,562$37,085
Top Earner (P90)$59,678$45,227
Total Employed2,830140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($38,889) and Yakima ($31,156) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.SeattleYakimaMedian Salary$38,889$31,156Entry Level (P10)$28,278$26,112Top Earner (P90)$59,678$45,227US Median $30,349

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Yakima.

The salary gap between Seattle and Yakima is $7,733 (24.82%). Seattle's median is +28.14% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Seattle spans $31,400,Yakima spans $19,115. Seattle has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Seattle
P10 (Entry)$28,278
P25$31,815
Median$38,889
P75$48,562
P90 (Top)$59,678
Yakima
P10 (Entry)$26,112
P25$26,943
Median$31,156
P75$37,085
P90 (Top)$45,227

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($34,993 effective) pays 7.31% more than Yakima ($32,609 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $38,889
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $34,993
Yakima
Nominal: $31,156
CoL Index: 95.545
Adjusted: $32,609

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($38,889/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,678)
  • Larger job market (2,830 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $34,993)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Yakima if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Seattle grew -35.7% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -34.7% growth in Yakima over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+-35.7%

$59,120 (2021) → $38,007 (2025)

Yakima, WA

+-34.7%

$46,640 (2021) → $30,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Seattle or Yakima?

Seattle has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $38,889/year, compared to Yakima at $31,156/year — a difference of $7,733 (24.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Yakima?

Seattle medical billing and coding specialists earn $18.70/hr while Yakima hygienists earn $14.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Seattle to Yakima as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Yakima. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $34,993, Yakima = $32,609), job availability (2,830 vs 140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Seattle vs Yakima?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $28,278 in Seattle and $26,112 in Yakima. The Seattle area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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