Medical Coder Pay

Medical Coder Salary in Joliet, IL: $40,635 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Joliet, IL earns a median $40,635/year (โ‰ˆ $19.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $41,849 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.

$40,635
Median Annual Salary
$19.53/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$29,524
Entry Level (P10)
$62,985
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

Medical Coder Salary in Joliet, IL โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Joliet, IL medical coder salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the medical coder salary in Joliet, IL is projected to be $40,635, slightly below the national median of $41,861. This figure reflects a salary range that spans from $29,524 at the lowest 10th percentile to $62,985 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, rooted in 2025 BLS data adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, indicate that while Joliet offers competitive compensation for medical coders, the overall take-home pay may be mildly impacted by regional economic conditions. As the healthcare sector continues to evolve, the job market for medical coders remains dynamic, highlighting the need for professionals to stay adaptable and market-aware.

About the Joliet Market

Salary estimated from Illinois average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$29,524$14.19
Lower Range (P25)$34,446$16.57
Median (P50)(typical)$40,635$19.53
Upper Range (P75)$52,013$25.01
Top Earners (P90)$62,985$30.28

Median Salary Position

$29,524$62,985
City Median: $40,635
National: $41,861
P10โ€“P90 Range

2.93% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical coders in Joliet. The median salary is $40,635, compared to the national median of $41,861.$26.6K$36.5K$46.4K$56.2K$66.1K$29.5K10th Pctl$34.4K25th Pctl$40.6KMedian$52.0K75th Pctl$63.0K90th PctlUS Median$41.9K

In Joliet, IL, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,461 (2026 est.). At $40,635, the local median is 2.93% below the national median of $41,861.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$781
per week
$3,386
per month
$40,628
per year

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

How Joliet Medical Coder Pay Compares

Joliet median: $40,635/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryJoliet Pays
Illinois Average$40,881-0.60% less
National Average$41,861-2.93% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical coder median salary in Joliet ($40,635) with Illinois average ($40,881) and the US national median ($41,861).Joliet$40,635Illinois Avg$40,881-0.60%US National$41,861-2.93%

Medical Coders in Joliet, IL earn a median of $40,635 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.93% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $40,881.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$40,635
Nominal Salary
97.1
CoL Index
$41,849
Adjusted Salary

Joliet has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

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

The nominal salary is $40,635. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $41,849, a gain of $1,214.$34.5K$37.9K$41.3K$44.7K$48.1K$40,635NominalSalary$41,849CoL Adjusted(CoL: 97.1)โ–ฒ 2.99%US Median $41.9K

Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $40,635 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,849 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 2.99% boost.

Compare Purchasing Power

Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living

Select a city above to compare purchasing power

2021 BLS Actual

$36,235

2025 BLS Actual

$39,714

2026 Current Est.

$40,635

2021โ€“2027 Growth

+14.7%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Joliet (2021โ€“2027)

2021โ€“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 Joliet. Baseline $36,235 in 2025, projected to $41,578 by 2027.$33.8K$38.0K$42.2K$46.4K$50.6K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$36.2K$36.6K$37.9K$48.2K$39.7K$40.6K$41.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$36,235Actual
2022$36,639Actual
2023$37,881Actual
2024$48,237Actual
2025$39,714Actual
2026(current)$40,635Estimated
2027$41,578Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 9.6% from $36,235 (2021) to $39,714 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,578 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $5,343 (14.75%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (2021โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$29,524 โ€“ $34,446
3-5 years (Mid Career)$34,446 โ€“ $40,635
5+ years (Experienced)$40,635 โ€“ $52,013
10+ years (Top Earner)$52,013 โ€“ $62,985

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

Medical Coder Job Market in Joliet

With 25 medical coders currently employed in Joliet, the local job market demonstrates stable demand for this skill set. The cost-of-living index in Joliet stands at 97.1, indicating that the purchasing power of a medical coder's salary is relatively strong in this area compared to the national average. Among local employers, large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics typically offer the most competitive pay, often providing additional benefits and bonuses that can further increase earnings. Factors contributing to the salary spread between entry-level and more experienced coders include shift differentials, specialty credentials, and the overall size of the employer, which can enhance compensation packages. For those looking to maximize medical coder pay in Joliet, obtaining specialized certifications and seeking opportunities with larger organizations may yield the best financial results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical coders make in Joliet, IL in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical coder salary in Joliet is $40,635/year ($19.53/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $29,524 at entry level (10th percentile) to $62,985 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Joliet at 2.9% 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 Joliet, IL a good place to work as a medical coder?

Joliet medical coder salaries are 2.9% below the national average and 0.6% below the Illinois state average. The metro area employs approximately 25 medical coders. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical coders make $100K in Joliet?

The median medical coder salary in Joliet is $40,635, and the 90th percentile earns $62,985. 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 Joliet?

After adjusting for Joliet's cost-of-living index of 97.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $40,635 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $41,849 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 3.0% further in Joliet compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for medical coders seeking strong real wages.

How much does a medical coder make per hour in Joliet?

Medical Coders in Joliet earn a median hourly rate of $19.53, which translates to approximately $40,635/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $14.19 for entry-level positions to $30.28 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 Illinois

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 $39,714 for medical codersin the Joliet 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 (P10โ€“P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Joliet 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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

Last verified: