Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Bellingham, WA: $35,387 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Bellingham, WA earns a median $35,387/year (≈ $17.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $34,245 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bellingham, Washington, the landscape for medical billing and coding specialists reveals a median annual salary of $35,387, surpassing the national median of $30,349 by 16.60%. This figure stems from extensive data compiled through 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, which indicate a salary range extending from $22,581 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $58,235 at the higher end (90th percentile). The salary dynamics can vary significantly depending on the specialty within the field; for example, inpatient coding roles often command higher wages than outpatient or risk adjustment positions. Those exploring careers in this sector may find Bellingham offers a promising job market, making it an appealing location for aspiring professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,581 | $10.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,242 | $13.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,387 | $17.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,379 | $20.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,235 | $27.99 |
Median Salary Position
16.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,654 (2026 est.). At $35,387, the local median is 16.6% above the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellingham Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $35,387/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $34,626 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +16.60% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $35,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.60% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 2.20% above the Washington state average of $34,626.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 3.33% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.334 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $35,387 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $34,245 — a 3.23% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$48,350
2025 BLS Actual
$34,585
2026 Current Est.
$35,387
2021–2027 Growth
+-25.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Bellingham (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $48,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,585 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,387 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,208 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -28.5% from $48,350 (2021) to $34,585 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,208 by 2027 — a total increase of $-12,142 (-25.11%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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) | $22,581 – $28,242 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,242 – $35,387 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,387 – $42,379 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,379 – $58,235 |
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 Bellingham
The employment numbers for medical billing and coding specialists in Bellingham point to a robust local job market, with approximately 140 professionals currently engaged in this field. However, the cost of living index sits at 103.334, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, they must also contend with the higher expenses of living in this area. Factors such as specialized expertise—ranging from inpatient CCS to outpatient CPC—and credential stacking can further influence compensation levels. Employers, including major hospitals and third-party coding companies, often offer the most lucrative pay. For those looking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing additional certifications from recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA and considering the remote work landscape can be advantageous strategies in Bellingham's competitive environment.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Bellingham, WA in 2026?
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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 $34,585 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Bellingham 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
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