Medical Coder Salary in Dover, DE: $44,137 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Dover, DE earns a median $44,137/year (≈ $21.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Dover's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.5), that paycheck buys what $45,265 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 29.6% above the Delaware state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for medical coders in Dover, Delaware, is projected to reach $44,137, reflecting a 5.44% increase compared to the national median of $41,861. This local salary range between $29,542 and $57,307 reveals significant disparities influenced by various factors such as experience and employer type, as indicated in estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. The city's competitive salary figures suggest that medical coding positions offer a relative advantage for those operating within Delaware's economic landscape, which also has a lower cost of living index at 97.507 compared to the national average, enhancing the effective purchasing power for these professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,542 | $14.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,045 | $15.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,137 | $21.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,974 | $26.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,307 | $27.55 |
Median Salary Position
5.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, DE, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,765 (2026 est.). At $44,137, the local median is 5.44% above the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be above the median
How Dover Medical Coder Pay Compares
Dover median: $44,137/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $34,056 | +29.60% more |
| National Average | $41,861 | +5.44% more |
Medical Coders in Dover, DE earn a median of $44,137 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.44% higher than the national median of $41,861 and 29.60% above the Delaware state average of $34,056.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 2.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, DE has a cost-of-living index of 97.507 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $44,137 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,265 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.56% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,710
2025 BLS Actual
$43,136
2026 Current Est.
$44,137
2021–2027 Growth
+23.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Dover (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,136 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,137 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,161 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 17.5% from $36,710 (2021) to $43,136 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,161 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,451 (23.02%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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) | $29,542 – $33,045 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,045 – $44,137 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,137 – $54,974 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,974 – $57,307 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Dover
As the employment market stands, Dover has approximately 110 medical coders working in various settings, from private practices to specialized clinics. The cost of living, being below the national average, provides an encouraging environment for coders regarding take-home pay. Larger healthcare organizations tend to offer the highest salaries, often factoring in benefits and bonuses that can further elevate compensation. The salary spread is often driven by elements such as shift differentials, the necessity for specialty credentials, and the size of the employer, all of which influence how much do medical coders make in Dover. To maximize earning potential, medical coders should pursue additional certifications and seek positions with multi-facility organizations that can provide a broader scope of responsibility and richer benefits.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
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 $43,136 for medical codersin the Dover 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