Medical Coder Pay

Medical Coder Salary in Wilmington, DE: $41,377 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Wilmington, DE earns a median $41,377/year (≈ $19.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $40,685 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.5% above the Delaware state average.

$41,377
Median Annual Salary
$19.89/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$29,563
Entry Level (P10)
$63,934
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

For professionals considering a career as a medical coder in Wilmington, Delaware, the 2026 projected median salary stands at $41,377. This figure reflects a cost-of-living index of 101.7, which indicates that Wilmington’s housing and overall living expenses are slightly above the national average. Medical coders in the area can expect compensation ranging from $29,563 at the lower end (P10) to $63,934 at the upper end (P90). These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, offering a nuanced perspective on the market conditions that shape medical coder pay in Wilmington, DE. With the industry's growth rate projected at 2.32% annually, job seekers have promising opportunities ahead.

About the Wilmington Market

Salary estimated from Delaware average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$29,563$14.21
Lower Range (P25)$34,597$16.64
Median (P50)(typical)$41,377$19.89
Upper Range (P75)$51,721$24.86
Top Earners (P90)$63,934$30.74

Median Salary Position

$29,563$63,934
City Median: $41,377
National: $41,861
P10–P90 Range

1.16% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical coders in Wilmington. The median salary is $41,377, compared to the national median of $41,861.$26.6K$36.7K$46.9K$57.0K$67.1K$29.6K10th Pctl$34.6K25th Pctl$41.4KMedian$51.7K75th Pctl$63.9K90th PctlUS Median$41.9K

In Wilmington, DE, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,371 (2026 est.). At $41,377, the local median is 1.16% below the national median of $41,861.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$796
per week
$3,448
per month
$41,373
per year

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

How Wilmington Medical Coder Pay Compares

Wilmington median: $41,377/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryWilmington Pays
Delaware Average$34,055+21.50% more
National Average$41,861-1.16% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical coder median salary in Wilmington ($41,377) with Delaware average ($34,055) and the US national median ($41,861).Wilmington$41,377Delaware Avg$34,055+21.50%US National$41,861-1.16%

Medical Coders in Wilmington, DE earn a median of $41,377 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.16% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 21.50% above the Delaware state average of $34,055.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$41,377
Nominal Salary
101.7
CoL Index
$40,685
Adjusted Salary

Wilmington has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.

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

The nominal salary is $41,377. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 101.7, the purchasing-power equivalent is $40,685, a loss of $692.$34.6K$38.0K$41.4K$44.8K$48.1K$41,377NominalSalary$40,685CoL Adjusted(CoL: 101.7) -1.67%US Median $41.9K

Wilmington, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $41,377 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $40,685 — a 1.67% reduction.

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2021 BLS Actual

$36,896

2025 BLS Actual

$40,439

2026 Current Est.

$41,377

2021–2027 Growth

+14.7%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Wilmington (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 Wilmington. Baseline $36,896 in 2025, projected to $42,337 by 2027.$33.6K$39.3K$45.1K$50.8K$56.5K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$36.9K$37.3K$38.6K$53.2K$40.4K$41.4K$42.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$36,896Actual
2022$37,308Actual
2023$38,573Actual
2024$53,249Actual
2025$40,439Actual
2026(current)$41,377Estimated
2027$42,337Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 9.6% from $36,896 (2021) to $40,439 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,337 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,441 (14.75%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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)$29,563$34,597
3-5 years (Mid Career)$34,597$41,377
5+ years (Experienced)$41,377$51,721
10+ years (Top Earner)$51,721$63,934

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

Medical Coder Job Market in Wilmington

In Wilmington, the employment landscape for medical coders consists of just 10 individuals currently in the profession, highlighting a niche job market. The higher-than-average cost of living can affect how much take-home purchasing power these coders ultimately retain. Employers that typically offer the most competitive salaries often include large healthcare organizations, which tend to have the resources to provide comprehensive salaries and benefits. The variance in pay between different medical coding positions is influenced by factors such as shift differentials, the necessity of specialized credentials, and the size of the employer. For medical coders aiming to maximize their earnings in Wilmington, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking positions in larger facilities could yield more favorable financial outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical coders make in Wilmington, DE in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical coder salary in Wilmington is $41,377/year ($19.89/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $29,563 at entry level (10th percentile) to $63,934 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Wilmington at 1.2% below 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 Wilmington, DE a good place to work as a medical coder?

Wilmington medical coder salaries are 1.2% below the national average and 21.5% above the Delaware state average. The metro area employs approximately 10 medical coders. With a cost-of-living index of 101.7, 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 Wilmington?

The median medical coder salary in Wilmington is $41,377, and the 90th percentile earns $63,934. 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 Wilmington?

After adjusting for Wilmington's cost-of-living index of 101.7 (where 100 equals the national average), the $41,377 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $40,685 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Wilmington reduce the effective value of your salary by 1.7% 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 Wilmington?

Medical Coders in Wilmington earn a median hourly rate of $19.89, which translates to approximately $41,377/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $14.21 for entry-level positions to $30.74 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

Nearby Cities in Delaware

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 $40,439 for medical codersin the Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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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