Medical Coder Pay

Entry-Level Medical Coder Salary in Irving, TX: $26,206 (2026)

Quick Answer:New medical coders entering the Irving, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $26,206 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2072, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Irving's local price level (BEA RPP 96.04% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $27,298 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($38,692) within a few years of clinical practice.

$26,206
Starting Salary
$12.60/hr
Starting Hourly
$26,206
Entry Level
$38,692
Career Median Target

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Coder Entry Level Salary in Irving, TX — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Irving, TX medical coder entry level salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, new graduates entering the field of medical coding in Irving, TX can expect an entry-level salary that starts at around $26,206 annually, significantly lower than the median salary of $38,692 for the region. For those first stepping into their careers, this starting medical coder salary in Irving can serve as a baseline, with expectations to advance through experience and skills. The growth path typically extends from initial earnings toward the first quartile of about $31,594 within a few years, aligning with the general trajectory across many healthcare roles. Moreover, with a projected annual growth rate of 2.32% for this occupation, the Irving market appears to offer promising opportunities for new coders eager to develop their skills and increase their earnings over time.

About the Irving Market

Salary estimated from Texas average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Career Earnings Timeline in Irving

Year 0-2

New Graduate

$26,206/yr
Year 2-5

Early Career

$31,594/yr
Year 5-10

Mid Career

$38,692/yr
Year 10+

Experienced

$49,521/yr

Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Irving

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical coders in Irving. The median salary is $38,692, compared to the national median of $41,861.$23.6K$33.4K$43.3K$53.1K$63.0K$26.2K10th Pctl$31.6K25th Pctl$38.7KMedian$49.5K75th Pctl$60.0K90th PctlUS Median$41.9K

Entry-level medical coders in Irving, TX typically start between $26,206 and $31,594 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $33,767 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $38,6927.57% below the national median.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical coder pay in the Irving metro area.

Return on Investment

$3,200
Avg TX Program Cost
$26,206
Starting Salary
12.21%
Cost-to-Salary Ratio
<1 yr
Payback Estimate

The average medical coding program cost in Texas of $3,200 represents just 12.21% of the starting medical coder pay ($26,206/year) in Irving. 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 Irving

  • 1Research the Irving market: entry-level medical coder pay ranges from $26,206 to $31,594, 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 TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
  • 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Irving, 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 Irving for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
  • 5Irving's moderate 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 Irving is $33,767 ( 128.85%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $26,206, experienced hygienists can earn up to $59,973.

Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.

2021 BLS Actual

$20,372

2025 BLS Actual

$25,612

2026 Current Est.

$26,206

2021–2027 Growth

+31.6%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Irving (20212027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical coders in Irving. Baseline $20,372 in 2025, projected to $26,814 by 2027.$17.7K$22.3K$26.9K$31.6K$36.2K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$20.4K$21.9K$24.3K$33.5K$25.6K$26.2K$26.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$20,372Actual
2022$21,950Actual
2023$24,283Actual
2024$33,524Actual
2025$25,612Actual
2026(current)$26,206Estimated
2027$26,814Projected

Entry-level medical coder compensation (10th percentile) in Irving, TX grew 25.7% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $20,372 in 2021 to $25,612 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $26,814. New graduates entering the Irving job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irving metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Irving

In terms of career prospects, numerous large hospital systems and corporate group practices in Irving are actively hiring newly graduated medical coders and offer structured onboarding programs that help ease the transition into this profession. For fresh graduates, acquiring state licensure along with optional advanced certifications recognized nationally can significantly enhance starting medical coder pay in TX. During the first three years in this field, earnings can vary widely based on employer type and geographic factors. Thus, aspiring coders should focus on gaining relevant experience and credentials to position themselves favorably for salary increases. Realistically, those entering the field should aim for salary advancements as they progress, which can lead them closer to the median pay range after just a few years of dedicated work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the starting salary for medical coders in Irving in 2026?

Entry-level medical coders in Irving start at approximately $26,206/year (10th percentile), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). This is the typical range for new graduates with less than 1 year of clinical experience. The starting hourly equivalent is approximately $12.60/hour for full-time work. Starting pay depends on the practice type (private vs. large organization), patient volume, location within the metro area, and whether the position includes benefits.

How fast do medical coder salaries grow in Irving?

Most medical coders in Irving progress from the entry-level salary of $26,206 to the area median of $38,692 within 3–5 years of clinical experience. Top earners with specializations and certifications reach $59,973 (90th percentile). The biggest salary jumps typically come in years 2–5 as clinical skills develop, and again when obtaining advanced certifications or expanded-function credentials. Salary growth after 10 years tends to plateau unless moving into management or education roles.

Is medical coding school worth it in Irving?

With a starting salary of $26,206/year in Irving and typical program costs ranging from $20,000–$80,000 for the required degree, graduates can expect a strong return on investment. Most new medical coders recoup their tuition within 1–3 years of working full-time. The profession also offers excellent work-life balance, flexible scheduling, low unemployment rates, and growing demand driven by an aging population's care needs.

What do new medical coders make right out of school in Irving?

New medical coding graduates in Irving typically start near the 10th percentile at $26,206/year, or approximately $12.60/hour. Starting pay varies based on the practice type, patient volume, geographic location within the metro area, and whether the compensation package includes benefits like health insurance and retirement contributions. Graduates with internships at high-production practices often secure higher starting offers.

How do I become a medical coder in Texas?

To become a licensed medical coder in Texas, you typically need postsecondary certificate or associate degree in medical billing and coding from an accredited program, plus optional professional certification, then pass the required national and state licensing examinations. Most states, including Texas, also require a clinical licensing exam. After obtaining licensure, you must maintain it through continuing education credits. Some medical coders pursue advanced degrees for career advancement into education, research, or public health roles.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Texas

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, CPC, CCSData verified by Maria Gonzales, CPC, CCA

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 Irving. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Irving is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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