How Much Does a Medical Coder Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$51,140
Medical coders in the U.S. earn a median of $51,140 a year, or $24.59 an hour. Half of medical coders earn more than $51,140 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $81,150.
Pay percentiles for medical coders
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17.79 | $37,000 |
| 25th | $20.91 | $43,490 |
| 50th (median) | $24.59 | $51,140 |
| 75th | $31.17 | $64,820 |
| 90th | $39.01 | $81,150 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Medical Records Specialists (SOC 29-2072). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for medical coders
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $72,040 | $34.63 | +41% |
| Rhode Island | $63,960 | $30.75 | +25% |
| Hawaii | $63,180 | $30.37 | +24% |
| Washington | $62,270 | $29.94 | +22% |
| California | $61,810 | $29.71 | +21% |
| New York | $61,720 | $29.67 | +21% |
| Minnesota | $61,530 | $29.58 | +20% |
| Alaska | $61,090 | $29.37 | +19% |
| Connecticut | $60,940 | $29.30 | +19% |
| Massachusetts | $60,350 | $29.02 | +18% |
| United States | $51,140 | $24.59 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many medical coders are there?
BLS counts about 194,720 medical coders employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Medical Records Specialists”. The most jobs are in Florida (21,490), California (18,700) and Texas (17,210).
The mean (average) annual wage is $56,790, higher than the median of $51,140.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,262
- Biweekly
- $1,967
- Weekly
- $983
- Daily (8 hours)
- $197
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do medical coders make an hour?
The median hourly wage for medical coders is $24.59. The middle 50% earn between $20.91 and $31.17 an hour.
Which state pays medical coders the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for medical coders at $72,040, +41% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for medical coders?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of medical coders earn less than $37,000 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.