Medical Coder Pay

Medical Coder Salary in Orange, CA: $47,663 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Orange, CA earns a median $47,663/year (≈ $22.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Orange's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $42,142 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the California state average.

$47,663
Median Annual Salary
$22.92/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$34,002
Entry Level (P10)
$73,877
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Coder Salary in Orange, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Orange, CA medical coder salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the medical coder salary in Orange, CA, reflects a competitive market for healthcare professionals, with a median yearly compensation of $47,663, outpacing the national median of $41,861 by 13.86%. The salary range for medical coders in this area extends from $34,002 at the 10th percentile to $73,877 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial earning potential based on experience and specialty. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, showcase a salary structure that accommodates a variety of situations for coders. For those contemplating a career in this field, the job market in Orange signals a positive outlook.

About the Orange Market

Salary estimated from California average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$34,002$16.35
Lower Range (P25)$38,895$18.70
Median (P50)(typical)$47,663$22.92
Upper Range (P75)$60,572$29.12
Top Earners (P90)$73,877$35.52

Median Salary Position

$34,002$73,877
City Median: $47,663
National: $41,861
P10–P90 Range

13.86% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Orange

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical coders in Orange. The median salary is $47,663, compared to the national median of $41,861.$30.6K$42.3K$54.1K$65.8K$77.6K$34.0K10th Pctl$38.9K25th Pctl$47.7KMedian$60.6K75th Pctl$73.9K90th PctlUS Median$41.9K

In Orange, CA, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,875 (2026 est.). At $47,663, the local median is 13.86% above the national median of $41,861.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$917
per week
$3,973
per month
$47,673
per year

At 40 hours/week in Orange: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Orange Medical Coder Pay Compares

Orange median: $47,663/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryOrange Pays
California Average$48,389-1.50% less
National Average$41,861+13.86% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical coder median salary in Orange ($47,663) with California average ($48,389) and the US national median ($41,861).Orange$47,663California Avg$48,389-1.50%US National$41,861+13.86%

Medical Coders in Orange, CA earn a median of $47,663 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.86% higher than the national median of $41,861 and 1.50% below the California state average of $48,389.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$47,663
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$42,142
Adjusted Salary

Orange has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $47,663. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $42,142, a loss of $5,521.$35.6K$40.4K$45.2K$50.0K$54.8K$47,663NominalSalary$42,142CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $41.9K

Orange, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,663 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $42,142 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2021 BLS Actual

$42,501

2025 BLS Actual

$46,582

2026 Current Est.

$47,663

2021–2027 Growth

+14.7%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Orange (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 Orange. Baseline $42,501 in 2025, projected to $48,768 by 2027.$36.3K$47.2K$58.0K$68.9K$79.7K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$42.5K$43.0K$44.4K$73.5K$46.6K$47.7K$48.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$42,501Actual
2022$42,975Actual
2023$44,432Actual
2024$73,532Actual
2025$46,582Actual
2026(current)$47,663Estimated
2027$48,768Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Orange metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 9.6% from $42,501 (2021) to $46,582 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,768 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,267 (14.75%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Orange 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$34,002$38,895
3-5 years (Mid Career)$38,895$47,663
5+ years (Experienced)$47,663$60,572
10+ years (Top Earner)$60,572$73,877

CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Medical Coder Job Market in Orange

Analyzing the local job market, there are currently 21 medical coders employed in Orange, which suggests a niche yet stable demand for such professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, take-home pay is essential to consider, as it means living expenses are above the national average. Employers in this area range from private practices to larger healthcare organizations, with the latter generally offering higher salaries and better benefits. The variation in medical coder pay in Orange, CA, is influenced by factors such as shift differentials, specialty credentials, and the size of the employing institution—larger employers can often afford to pay more. To maximize pay, coders should focus on obtaining specialty certifications and seek opportunities within larger health systems, where competitive compensation packages and advancement potential are more likely to be found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical coders make in Orange, CA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical coder salary in Orange is $47,663/year ($22.92/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $34,002 at entry level (10th percentile) to $73,877 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Orange at 13.9% above the national median. Full-time medical coders typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Orange, CA a good place to work as a medical coder?

Orange medical coder salaries are 13.9% above the national average and 1.5% below the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 21 medical coders. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical coders make $100K in Orange?

The median medical coder salary in Orange is $47,663, and the 90th percentile earns $73,877. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical coder salary in Orange?

After adjusting for Orange's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $47,663 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $42,142 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Orange reduce the effective value of your salary by 11.6% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a medical coder make per hour in Orange?

Medical Coders in Orange earn a median hourly rate of $22.92, which translates to approximately $47,663/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $16.35 for entry-level positions to $35.52 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem medical coders sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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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

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 $46,582 for medical codersin the Orange 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 Orange 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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