Medical Coder Pay

Medical Coder Salary in Sacramento, CA: $61,515 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Sacramento, CA earns a median $61,515/year (≈ $29.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $57,669 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 27.1% above the California state average.

$61,515
Median Annual Salary
$29.57/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$38,857
Entry Level (P10)
$87,185
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

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

In Sacramento, California, the projected median salary for medical coders in 2026 is $61,515, significantly higher than the national median of $41,861, reflecting the strong demand for these professionals in the local healthcare market. Medical coders in this region can expect a salary range from $38,857 at the 10th percentile to $87,185 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse earning potential influenced by factors such as experience and specialization. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, the local employment of 1,340 medical coders indicates a competitive job market, essential for prospective candidates to understand as they navigate their career paths in Sacramento.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$38,857$18.68
Lower Range (P25)$46,273$22.24
Median (P50)(typical)$61,515$29.57
Upper Range (P75)$72,533$34.87
Top Earners (P90)$87,185$41.92

Median Salary Position

$38,857$87,185
City Median: $61,515
National: $41,861
P10–P90 Range

46.95% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical coders in Sacramento. The median salary is $61,515, compared to the national median of $41,861.$35.0K$49.1K$63.3K$77.4K$91.5K$38.9K10th Pctl$46.3K25th Pctl$61.5KMedian$72.5K75th Pctl$87.2K90th PctlUS Median$41.9K

In Sacramento, CA, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,328 (2026 est.). At $61,515, the local median is 46.95% above the national median of $41,861.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,183
per week
$5,126
per month
$61,507
per year

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

How Sacramento Medical Coder Pay Compares

Sacramento median: $61,515/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalarySacramento Pays
California Average$48,399+27.10% more
National Average$41,861+46.95% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical coder median salary in Sacramento ($61,515) with California average ($48,399) and the US national median ($41,861).Sacramento$61,515California Avg$48,399+27.10%US National$41,861+46.95%

Medical Coders in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $61,515 per year (2026 est.), which is 46.95% higher than the national median of $41,861 and 27.10% above the California state average of $48,399.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$61,515
Nominal Salary
106.67
CoL Index
$57,669
Adjusted Salary

Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.

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

The nominal salary is $61,515. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 106.67, the purchasing-power equivalent is $57,669, a loss of $3,846.$35.6K$44.4K$53.2K$62.0K$70.7K$61,515NominalSalary$57,669CoL Adjusted(CoL: 106.67) -6.25%US Median $41.9K

Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,515 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,669 — a 6.25% reduction.

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2021 BLS Actual

$60,460

2025 BLS Actual

$60,120

2026 Current Est.

$61,515

2021–2027 Growth

+4.1%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Sacramento (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 Sacramento. Baseline $60,460 in 2025, projected to $62,942 by 2027.$57.1K$62.4K$67.7K$72.9K$78.2K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$60.5K$63.4K$64.4K$75.2K$60.1K$61.5K$62.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$60,460Actual
2022$63,380Actual
2023$64,410Actual
2024$75,210Actual
2025$60,120Actual
2026(current)$61,515Estimated
2027$62,942Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -0.6% from $60,460 (2021) to $60,120 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,942 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,482 (4.11%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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)$38,857$46,273
3-5 years (Mid Career)$46,273$61,515
5+ years (Experienced)$61,515$72,533
10+ years (Top Earner)$72,533$87,185

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

Medical Coder Job Market in Sacramento

The local job market exhibits both strength and challenges, with a cost-of-living index of 106.67, suggesting that while salaries may be higher than national averages, the cost for housing and other essentials can impact take-home purchasing power. Large healthcare organizations typically offer the highest salaries among employers, followed by community health centers and specialty clinics, due in part to the complexity of coding and the need for in-depth expertise. The salary spread in Sacramento reflects factors like shift differentials and the importance of specialty credentials; gaining additional certifications can not only enhance job security but also boost medical coder pay in Sacramento CA. To maximize earnings, coders should focus on networking within the local industry, considering diverse job opportunities, and continually updating their skill set to align with employer needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median medical coder salary in Sacramento is $61,515/year ($29.57/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $38,857 at entry level (10th percentile) to $87,185 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Sacramento at 47.0% 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 Sacramento, CA a good place to work as a medical coder?

Sacramento medical coder salaries are 47.0% above the national average and 27.1% above the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 1,340 medical coders. With a cost-of-living index of 106.67, 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 Sacramento?

The median medical coder salary in Sacramento is $61,515, and the 90th percentile earns $87,185. 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 Sacramento?

After adjusting for Sacramento's cost-of-living index of 106.67 (where 100 equals the national average), the $61,515 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $57,669 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Sacramento reduce the effective value of your salary by 6.3% 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 Sacramento?

Medical Coders in Sacramento earn a median hourly rate of $29.57, which translates to approximately $61,515/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $18.68 for entry-level positions to $41.92 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 $60,120 for medical codersin the Sacramento 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

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

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