Medical Coder Salary in Paragould, AR: $32,969 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Paragould, AR earns a median $32,969/year (≈ $15.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Paragould's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $37,939 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Medical coders in Paragould, Arkansas, can expect a median annual salary of $32,969 in 2026, which is considerably lower than the national average of $41,861 for this profession. The salary range for medical coders locally varies widely, from $23,740 at the 10th percentile to $51,102 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect the specific economic conditions and job market dynamics of Paragould, where only seven medical coders are currently employed. This relatively small number suggests that the local job market may not be saturated, offering opportunities for those entering the field.
About the Paragould Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,740 | $11.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,863 | $13.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $32,969 | $15.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,095 | $20.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,102 | $24.57 |
Median Salary Position
21.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paragould
In Paragould, AR, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,362 (2026 est.). At $32,969, the local median is 21.24% below the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paragould: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Paragould Medical Coder Pay Compares
Paragould median: $32,969/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paragould Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $33,745 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $41,861 | -21.24% less |
Medical Coders in Paragould, AR earn a median of $32,969 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.24% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 2.30% below the Arkansas state average of $33,745.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paragould has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paragould, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $32,969 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $37,939 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$29,398
2025 BLS Actual
$32,221
2026 Current Est.
$32,969
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Paragould (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,398 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,726 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,734 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,956 | Actual |
| 2025 | $32,221 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32,969 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33,733 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paragould metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 9.6% from $29,398 (2021) to $32,221 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $33,733 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,335 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paragould 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $23,740 – $28,863 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,863 – $32,969 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $32,969 – $42,095 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,095 – $51,102 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Paragould
The cost of living in Paragould, with an index of 86.9, is below the national average, which impacts the purchasing power of medical coder salaries. In terms of the employment landscape, private practices, large healthcare organizations, and specialty clinics typically offer the highest pay among local employers. Variations in medical coder pay in Paragould AR can be attributed to factors such as the size of the employer, available benefits, shift differentials, and specialized credentials held by the coders. For those aspiring to maximize their earnings in this region, pursuing additional certifications and seeking roles in larger healthcare facilities may be strategic moves to enhance their overall compensation and career trajectory.
More salary data for Paragould, AR:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $32,221 for medical codersin the Paragould metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Paragould 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