Medical Coder Salary in Washington: $50,863 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median medical coder pay sits at $50,863/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $47,358 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bellevue ($52,938), Seattle ($52,424), Tacoma ($51,550).
In 2026, medical coder salaries in Washington are projected to average $50,863, which is significantly higher than the national median of $41,861, representing a 21.5% difference. The highest paying city, Bellevue, offers an average salary of $54,166, while Lacey has the lowest at $41,875, highlighting a salary gap of $12,291. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas. Washington has specific licensing requirements that can influence salaries, along with stringent scope of practice laws that ensure high standards in medical coding practices. The demand for medical coders is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.32%, based on employment trends, reflecting the ongoing need for accurate coding in healthcare for billing and compliance purposes. Cities like Seattle and Tacoma follow Bellevue, with average salaries of $53,640 and $52,746 respectively, while Mount Vernon and Vancouver also contribute to a strong market with average salaries of $51,864 and $50,987. The total number of employed medical coders in the state is projected at 4,734, indicating a steadily growing job market in the coming years.
Washington Medical Coder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $28,363 (lowest entry-level) to $83,958 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington medical coders earn 21.50% more than the national median (+$9,002/year difference).
Washington Medical Coder Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Coder salaries in Washington range from $36,908 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $77,313 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $50,863. The Washington median is $9,002 above the US national median of $41,861. The average hourly rate is $24.46/hr. Approximately 4,734 medical coders are employed across 50 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$54,139
2025 BLS Actual
$49,710
2026 Current Est.
$50,863
2021–2027 Growth
+-3.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Washington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $54,139 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,728 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,739 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,612 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,863 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,043 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -8.2% from $54,139 (2021) to $49,710 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,043 by 2027 — a total increase of $-2,096 (-3.87%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
Best Value Cities for Medical Coders in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for medical coders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Longview | $49,687 | 97.545 | $50,938 |
| Mount Vernon | $51,864 | 102.443 | $50,627 |
| Bellevue | $54,166 | 107.4 | $50,434 |
| Tacoma | $52,746 | 107.4 | $49,112 |
| Seattle | $53,640 | 111.133 | $48,266 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,908 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $50,863 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $77,313 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue | $54,166 |
| 2 | Seattle | $53,640 |
| 3 | Tacoma | $52,746 |
| 4 | Mount Vernon | $51,864 |
| 5 | Vancouver | $50,987 |
| 6 | Longview | $49,687 |
| 7 | Renton | $48,994 |
| 8 | Bellingham | $48,811 |
| 9 | Richland | $48,741 |
| 10 | Everett | $48,519 |
| 11 | Marysville | $48,156 |
| 12 | Bremerton | $48,041 |
| 13 | Shoreline | $47,891 |
| 14 | Kennewick | $47,747 |
| 15 | Redmond | $47,703 |
| 16 | Kent | $47,663 |
| 17 | Kirkland | $47,585 |
| 18 | Burien | $47,525 |
| 19 | Spokane Valley | $47,347 |
| 20 | Federal Way | $47,316 |
| 21 | Des Moines | $47,306 |
| 22 | Auburn | $47,195 |
| 23 | Lakewood | $47,177 |
| 24 | Issaquah | $47,150 |
| 25 | Sammamish | $46,840 |
| 26 | University Place | $46,824 |
| 27 | SeaTac | $46,787 |
| 28 | Pasco | $46,586 |
| 29 | Spokane | $46,453 |
| 30 | Walla Walla | $46,347 |
| 31 | Edmonds | $46,301 |
| 32 | Lake Stevens | $46,179 |
| 33 | Lynnwood | $46,149 |
| 34 | Moses Lake | $46,060 |
| 35 | Bothell | $46,027 |
| 36 | Pullman | $45,823 |
| 37 | Puyallup | $45,720 |
| 38 | Ellensburg | $45,548 |
| 39 | Maple Valley | $45,423 |
| 40 | Camas | $45,308 |
| 41 | Oak Harbor | $45,117 |
| 42 | Kenmore | $44,826 |
| 43 | Covington | $44,822 |
| 44 | Mountlake Terrace | $44,201 |
| 45 | Tukwila | $44,134 |
| 46 | Yakima | $42,974 |
| 47 | Wenatchee | $42,614 |
| 48 | Tumwater | $42,608 |
| 49 | Olympia | $42,221 |
| 50 | Lacey | $41,875 |
More Washington Salary Data
Compare Cities in Washington
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical coders make in Washington in 2026?
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How does Washington medical coder pay compare to the national average?
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Written by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC
Career Analyst
Aisha has over 10 years of experience in medical coding. She specializes in inpatient coding at acute care facilities. Aisha works closely with healthcare providers to ensure accurate coding practices.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical coder compensation across Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical coderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and 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 coders (SOC 29-2072).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC, a licensed medical coder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov