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.
Official BLS data · View source

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
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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
46.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
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.
Salary Calculator
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 To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $48,399 | +27.10% more |
| National Average | $41,861 | +46.95% more |
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
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
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 (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $60,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,515 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,942 | Projected |
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 (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $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.
More salary data for Sacramento, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can medical coders make $100K in Sacramento?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical coder salary in Sacramento?
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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 $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