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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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
9.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
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.
Salary Calculator
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 To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $28,311 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -9.51% less |
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
Salem has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
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 (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $24,488 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,761 | Actual |
| 2023 | $25,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,031 | Actual |
| 2025 | $26,839 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27,462 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,099 | Projected |
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 (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $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.
More salary data for Salem, VA:
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 $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).
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