Medical Coder Salary in Covington, KY: $36,883 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Covington, KY earns a median $36,883/year (≈ $17.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Covington's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $41,302 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Covington, KY, the medical coder salary is projected to be $36,883 in 2026, which represents a noticeable gap from the national median of $41,861. This figure indicates a purchasing power that is slightly diminished due to the lower cost of living in the area, reflected by a cost of living index of 89.3. The projected salary range for medical coders locally varies significantly from $27,177 at the 10th percentile to $55,292 at the 90th percentile. With estimates derived from BLS state-level data, these numbers highlight the competitive nature of medical coder compensation in Covington, especially when considering the limited pool of just nine medical coders currently employed in the region.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,177 | $13.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,320 | $15.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,883 | $17.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,414 | $21.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,292 | $26.58 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Covington
In Covington, KY, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,115 (2026 est.). At $36,883, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Covington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Covington Medical Coder Pay Compares
Covington median: $36,883/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Covington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $37,369 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $41,861 | -11.89% less |
Medical Coders in Covington, KY earn a median of $36,883 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 1.30% below the Kentucky state average of $37,369.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Covington has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Covington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $36,883 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,302 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$32,889
2025 BLS Actual
$36,047
2026 Current Est.
$36,883
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Covington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $32,889 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,256 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,384 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,047 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,883 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,739 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Covington metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 9.6% from $32,889 (2021) to $36,047 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,739 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,850 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Covington 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) | $27,177 – $31,320 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,320 – $36,883 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,883 – $45,414 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,414 – $55,292 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Covington
Job prospects for medical coders in Covington are influenced by employer type, with larger healthcare organizations typically offering better compensation packages than private practices or community health centers. This trend is compounded by the area's cost of living, as a lower index can effectively stretch salaries further. The disparity between low and high pay levels is often driven by factors such as shift differentials, specialized coding certifications, the size of the employer, and the benefits structure provided. To optimize their earnings, medical coders in Covington should focus on acquiring additional certifications and considering roles in larger healthcare systems where the potential for advancement may be greater. Additionally, actively seeking employment in specialty clinics may yield higher pay, enhancing overall financial stability in the local job market.
More salary data for Covington, KY:
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 $36,047 for medical codersin the Covington 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 Covington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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