Medical Coder Hourly Pay in Merrillville, IN: $18.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical coder working in Merrillville, IN runs $18.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,965 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Merrillville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,781 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Merrillville, Indiana is home to medical coders earning a median hourly rate of $18.25. This figure is slightly lower than the national median of $20.13, reflecting local market conditions and the cost of living indexed at 91.3, which is below the national average. For medical coders working part-time, such as those on a three-day workweek, the compensation can be significant, particularly when factoring in per-diem opportunities that arise in clinical settings. The hourly pay range for medical coders in the area spans from $13.56 for entry-level positions to $28.13 for more experienced professionals, illustrating the potential for growth in this field based on skills and employer type.
About the Merrillville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Coder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.56 | $108.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.57 | $124.58 |
| Median (P50) | $18.25 | $146.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.94 | $183.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.13 | $225.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merrillville
Based on $18.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.25/hr, a medical coder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merrillville, IN can expect to earn approximately $37,968 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,905. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merrillville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merrillville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $730.16 | $3,164 | $37,968 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $438.09 | $1,898 | $22,781 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $292.06 | $1,266 | $15,187 |
Compare CPC, CCS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Coder (Merrillville) | $18.25 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Coders in Merrillville, IN earn a median of $37,965 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.31% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 4.10% below the Indiana state average of $39,588.
Medical Coder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.25/hr = $22,781/year (purchasing power: $24,952).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,968/year (purchasing power: $41,586).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$16.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.25/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Coders in Merrillville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $16.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical coders in Merrillville grew 9.6% from $16.28/hr (2021) to $17.84/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.68/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical coders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merrillville 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Coder in Merrillville
Analyzing the earning potential for a part-time medical coder in Merrillville reveals a scenario where someone working 24 hours a week could expect to make around $22,776 annually, substantially less than full-time counterparts but still providing a reasonable income given the local cost of living. Those choosing to work as per-diem medical coders can often command rates 10-25% higher than traditional staff roles, which makes it an appealing option for flexible work. Compensation also varies widely across different employers in Merrillville, with private practices typically offering less than large healthcare organizations or specialty clinics that may provide benefits. This leads many coders to choose between lower hourly rates with full-time benefits or higher wages without such perks. When negotiating pay, it's crucial for coders to assess their individual needs carefully, considering both immediate pay and long-term benefits that different employers can provide, especially in a market like Merrillville where hourly pay dynamics can shift based on employer funding and demand for specialized coding skills.
More salary data for Merrillville, IN:
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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical coders in Merrillville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Merrillville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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