Medical Billing Salary

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Salem, VA: $27,462 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Salem, VA earns a median $27,462/year (≈ $13.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Salem's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $26,610 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Virginia state average.

$27,462
Median Annual Salary
$13.20/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$19,405
Entry Level (P10)
$41,198
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Salem, VA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Salem, VA medical billing and coding specialist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Salem, Virginia, the projected median annual salary for medical billing and coding specialists in 2026 is estimated to be $27,462. This figure reflects local conditions, which include a wide salary range from $19,405 at the 10th percentile to $41,198 at the 90th percentile, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments. It's also noteworthy that this local pay is notably lower than the national median of $30,349 for the same year, indicating that the compensation for medical billing and coding specialists in Salem, VA, is approximately 9.51% less than the national average. The shift toward remote work options has expanded job opportunities for local specialists and allowed for a broader geographic salary comparison, impacting employment dynamics within the area.

About the Salem Market

Salary estimated from Virginia average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$19,405$9.33
Lower Range (P25)$24,406$11.74
Median (P50)(typical)$27,462$13.20
Upper Range (P75)$33,811$16.26
Top Earners (P90)$41,198$19.81

Median Salary Position

$19,405$41,198
City Median: $27,462
National: $30,349
P10–P90 Range

9.51% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical billing and coding specialists in Salem. The median salary is $27,462, compared to the national median of $30,349.$17.5K$23.9K$30.4K$36.8K$43.3K$19.4K10th Pctl$24.4K25th Pctl$27.5KMedian$33.8K75th Pctl$41.2K90th PctlUS Median$30.3K

In Salem, VA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,793 (2026 est.). At $27,462, the local median is 9.51% below the national median of $30,349.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical billing and coding specialist pay in the Salem metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$528
per week
$2,288
per month
$27,455
per year

At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Salem Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares

Salem median: $27,462/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalarySalem Pays
Virginia Average$28,311-3.00% less
National Average$30,349-9.51% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical billing and coding specialist median salary in Salem ($27,462) with Virginia average ($28,311) and the US national median ($30,349).Salem$27,462Virginia Avg$28,311-3.00%US National$30,349-9.51%

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Salem, VA earn a median of $27,462 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.51% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 3.00% below the Virginia state average of $28,311.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$27,462
Nominal Salary
103.2
CoL Index
$26,610
Adjusted Salary

Salem has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $27,462. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 103.2, the purchasing-power equivalent is $26,610, a loss of $852.$22.6K$25.7K$28.8K$31.8K$34.9K$27,462NominalSalary$26,610CoL Adjusted(CoL: 103.2) -3.10%US Median $30.3K

Salem, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $27,462 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $26,610 — a 3.1% reduction.

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2021 BLS Actual

$24,488

2025 BLS Actual

$26,839

2026 Current Est.

$27,462

2021–2027 Growth

+14.7%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Salem (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 Salem. Baseline $24,488 in 2025, projected to $28,099 by 2027.$19.0K$28.6K$38.3K$47.9K$57.5K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$24.5K$24.8K$25.6K$52.0K$26.8K$27.5K$28.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$24,488Actual
2022$24,761Actual
2023$25,600Actual
2024$52,031Actual
2025$26,839Actual
2026(current)$27,462Estimated
2027$28,099Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $24,488 (2021) to $26,839 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $28,099 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,611 (14.75%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$19,405$24,406
3-5 years (Mid Career)$24,406$27,462
5+ years (Experienced)$27,462$33,811
10+ years (Top Earner)$33,811$41,198

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 Salem

As of now, there are six medical billing and coding specialists employed in Salem, which highlights a somewhat limited local job market. The cost-of-living index in Salem is pegged at 103.2, slightly above the national average, suggesting that purchasing power may be constrained when evaluating take-home salaries. Employers that tend to pay the most within the region include large physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments, which often offer higher salaries compared to smaller practices or remote third-party coding companies. The salary spectrum in this field in Salem can be influenced by numerous factors, such as specialty focus—where inpatient coding roles generally command higher salaries—and additional credentials held by the professionals, like CPC, CCS, or CRC. To maximize earning potential, local specialists should consider diversifying their qualifications and seeking roles that emphasize risk adjustment and compliance specialties, which are increasingly in demand as the healthcare landscape evolves.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Salem, VA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Salem is $27,462/year ($13.20/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $19,405 at entry level (10th percentile) to $41,198 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Salem at 9.5% below the national median. Full-time medical billing and coding specialists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Salem, VA a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Salem medical billing and coding specialist salaries are 9.5% below the national average and 3.0% below the Virginia state average. The metro area employs approximately 6 medical billing and coding specialists. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Salem?

The median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Salem is $27,462, and the 90th percentile earns $41,198. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in Salem?

After adjusting for Salem's cost-of-living index of 103.2 (where 100 equals the national average), the $27,462 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $26,610 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Salem reduce the effective value of your salary by 3.1% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in Salem?

Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Salem earn a median hourly rate of $13.20, which translates to approximately $27,462/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $9.33 for entry-level positions to $19.81 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem medical billing and coding specialists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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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

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 $26,839 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Salem 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

Salary data for Salem is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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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