Medical Coder Salary in Athens, GA: $37,940 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Athens, GA earns a median $37,940/year (≈ $18.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Athens's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $40,646 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Athens, Georgia, the projected median annual medical coder salary is $37,940, reflecting a local market that employs about 100 individuals in this capacity. With salaries ranging from $28,813 at the 10th percentile to $50,309 at the 90th percentile, the compensation for medical coders varies widely depending on experience, employer type, and specific job duties. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and illustrates a job market characterized by a moderate saturation of professionals. Local employers, including private practices and larger healthcare organizations, play a significant role in shaping these salary figures, positioning Athens within a unique economic context in Georgia.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,813 | $13.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30,876 | $14.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,940 | $18.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,692 | $21.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,309 | $24.19 |
Median Salary Position
9.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, GA, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,496 (2026 est.). At $37,940, the local median is 9.37% below the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Athens Medical Coder Pay Compares
Athens median: $37,940/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $38,362 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $41,861 | -9.37% less |
Medical Coders in Athens, GA earn a median of $37,940 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.37% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 1.10% below the Georgia state average of $38,362.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 6.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.343 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $37,940 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $40,646 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.13% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$46,660
2025 BLS Actual
$37,080
2026 Current Est.
$37,940
2021–2027 Growth
+-16.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Athens (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,940 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,820 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -20.5% from $46,660 (2021) to $37,080 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $38,820 by 2027 — a total increase of $-7,840 (-16.80%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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) | $28,813 – $30,876 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $30,876 – $37,940 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,940 – $45,692 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,692 – $50,309 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Athens
The local job market for medical coders in Athens shows steady growth, with an annual increase rate of 2.32%. However, the cost of living index stands at 93.343, which suggests that while the salary levels may be slightly below national averages, the relative affordability in Athens could enhance overall purchasing power. Among the different types of employers, large healthcare organizations tend to provide the highest compensation, although community health centers and specialty clinics also offer competitive salaries. The range in pay can be attributed to factors like specialty credentials, shift differentials, and the size of the employer, which influence remuneration structures. For those looking to maximize their medical coder pay in Athens, seeking employment with larger healthcare systems or obtaining advanced certifications can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical coders make in Athens, GA in 2026?
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Can medical coders make $100K in Athens?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical coder salary in Athens?
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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 $37,080 for medical codersin the Athens 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