Medical Coder Salary in Baton Rouge, LA: $38,153 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Baton Rouge, LA earns a median $38,153/year (≈ $18.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Baton Rouge's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $42,028 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the median medical coder salary is projected to be $38,153 in 2026, lagging behind the national median of $41,861 by approximately 8.86%. Medical coders in this region can expect a salary range from $28,854 at the 10th percentile to $70,241 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant earning potential for those who pursue advancement or specialize in certain areas. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, indicate that while the pay may be lower than the national average, the local medical coding market remains competitive, particularly for skilled professionals within healthcare facilities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,854 | $13.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,259 | $15.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,153 | $18.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,198 | $25.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,241 | $33.78 |
Median Salary Position
8.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baton Rouge
In Baton Rouge, LA, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,387 (2026 est.). At $38,153, the local median is 8.86% below the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Baton Rouge: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Baton Rouge Medical Coder Pay Compares
Baton Rouge median: $38,153/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Baton Rouge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $35,458 | +7.60% more |
| National Average | $41,861 | -8.86% less |
Medical Coders in Baton Rouge, LA earn a median of $38,153 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.86% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 7.60% above the Louisiana state average of $35,458.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Baton Rouge has a cost of living 9.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Baton Rouge, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.78 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $38,153 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,028 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.16% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,850
2025 BLS Actual
$37,288
2026 Current Est.
$38,153
2021–2027 Growth
+3.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Baton Rouge (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,288 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,153 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,038 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baton Rouge metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -1.5% from $37,850 (2021) to $37,288 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,038 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,188 (3.14%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baton Rouge 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) | $28,854 – $32,259 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,259 – $38,153 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,153 – $53,198 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,198 – $70,241 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Baton Rouge
The local job market in Baton Rouge employs around 600 medical coders, reflecting a stable demand amidst a cost-of-living index of 90.78, which may enhance take-home purchasing power compared to other areas. Among the highest-paying employers are large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics, which tend to offer better compensation packages than private practices or community health centers. The disparity in medical coder pay in Baton Rouge can be attributed to factors such as employer size, the complexity of coding responsibilities, shift differentials, and additional specialty credentials. To maximize earnings in this market, aspiring coders should consider furthering their education and certifications and seeking positions within larger healthcare systems, which often provide a more comprehensive benefits structure and higher salaries.
More salary data for Baton Rouge, LA:
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 $37,288 for medical codersin the Baton Rouge 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