Entry-Level Medical Coder Salary in Lima, OH: $30,581 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical coders entering the Lima, OH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $30,581 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Lima's local price level (BEA RPP 89.7 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $34,104 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($38,767) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lima, Ohio, new graduates entering the medical coding field can expect a starting salary of around $30,581, significantly below the city’s median annual wage of $38,767. This gap illustrates the typical journey many entry-level medical coders face, as they progress from the P10 threshold to the P25 marker of $32,554 within the first few years of their careers. Given the projected growth rate of 2.32% annually, it’s essential for newcomers to recognize that, despite initial lower pay, early adjustments and skill development can lead to reasonable income growth from their starting positions. Lima presents a favorable job market for recent graduates, allowing them to gain valuable coding experience while working toward higher salary tiers over time.
Career Earnings Timeline in Lima
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lima
Entry-level medical coders in Lima, OH typically start between $30,581 and $32,554 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $20,031 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $38,767 — 7.39% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical coding program cost in Ohio of $3,800 represents just 12.43% of the starting medical coder pay ($30,581/year) in Lima. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on accredited program data and state workforce commission reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type.
CPC, CCS Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Lima
- 1Research the Lima market: entry-level medical coder pay ranges from $30,581 to $32,554, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical coding field — employers in OH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Lima, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Lima for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Lima's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Coder Compensation Range
The medical coder wage spread in Lima is $20,031 ( 65.50%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $30,581, experienced hygienists can earn up to $50,612.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$29,220
2025 BLS Actual
$29,888
2026 Current Est.
$30,581
2021–2027 Growth
+7.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Lima (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,888 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30,581 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31,291 | Projected |
Entry-level medical coder compensation (10th percentile) in Lima, OH grew 2.3% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,220 in 2021 to $29,888 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $31,291. New graduates entering the Lima job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lima 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.
Starting Your medical coding Career in Lima
Employers in Lima that hire entry-level medical coders include prominent hospital systems and corporate healthcare practices. These institutions often have structured onboarding processes, crucial for new grads aiming to gain industry expertise quickly. To enhance earning potential, obtaining state licensure and pursuing advanced certifications recognized by the profession’s national body is highly advisable. In the first few years, salary growth for medical coders in this market may see significant fluctuations based on employer type and geographical factors, while typical career advancements could result in earnings approaching the P75 threshold of $39,618. Therefore, new graduates should focus on building a strong foundational skill set in their initial roles, which would position them favorably for future opportunities in Lima.
More salary data for Lima, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical coding graduates. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Lima. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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