Medical Coder Pay

Medical Coder Salary in Metairie, LA: $38,555 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Metairie, LA earns a median $38,555/year (≈ $18.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Metairie's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $42,697 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.8% above the Louisiana state average.

$38,555
Median Annual Salary
$18.54/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$26,155
Entry Level (P10)
$59,761
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In Metairie, Louisiana, the projected median annual salary for a medical coder in 2026 stands at $38,555. This figure reflects a notable gap compared to the national median of $41,861, indicating a slight disparity in local compensation. The salary range for medical coders in the area varies significantly, with the lower end at approximately $26,155 and the upper end reaching $59,761. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost differences, suggest that while there are opportunities for competitive salaries, the market may not be as strong as other regions in the country. Job prospects for medical coders in Metairie may be influenced by this economic context, impacting both recruitment and retention in the healthcare field.

About the Metairie Market

Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$26,155$12.58
Lower Range (P25)$33,596$16.16
Median (P50)(typical)$38,555$18.54
Upper Range (P75)$48,867$23.49
Top Earners (P90)$59,761$28.73

Median Salary Position

$26,155$59,761
City Median: $38,555
National: $41,861
P10–P90 Range

7.9% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Metairie

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical coders in Metairie. The median salary is $38,555, compared to the national median of $41,861.$23.5K$33.3K$43.1K$52.9K$62.7K$26.2K10th Pctl$33.6K25th Pctl$38.6KMedian$48.9K75th Pctl$59.8K90th PctlUS Median$41.9K

In Metairie, LA, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,606 (2026 est.). At $38,555, the local median is 7.9% below the national median of $41,861.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$742
per week
$3,214
per month
$38,564
per year

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

How Metairie Medical Coder Pay Compares

Metairie median: $38,555/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryMetairie Pays
Louisiana Average$35,437+8.80% more
National Average$41,861-7.90% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical coder median salary in Metairie ($38,555) with Louisiana average ($35,437) and the US national median ($41,861).Metairie$38,555Louisiana Avg$35,437+8.80%US National$41,861-7.90%

Medical Coders in Metairie, LA earn a median of $38,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.90% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 8.80% above the Louisiana state average of $35,437.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$38,555
Nominal Salary
90.3
CoL Index
$42,697
Adjusted Salary

Metairie has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

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

The nominal salary is $38,555. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 90.3, the purchasing-power equivalent is $42,697, a gain of $4,142.$32.8K$36.9K$40.9K$45.0K$49.1K$38,555NominalSalary$42,697CoL Adjusted(CoL: 90.3) 10.74%US Median $41.9K

Metairie, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $38,555 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,697 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.

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2021 BLS Actual

$34,380

2025 BLS Actual

$37,681

2026 Current Est.

$38,555

2021–2027 Growth

+14.7%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Metairie (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 Metairie. Baseline $34,380 in 2025, projected to $39,450 by 2027.$33.4K$35.1K$36.9K$38.7K$40.5K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$34.4K$34.8K$35.9K$38.4K$37.7K$38.6K$39.5K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$34,380Actual
2022$34,763Actual
2023$35,942Actual
2024$38,445Actual
2025$37,681Actual
2026(current)$38,555Estimated
2027$39,450Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Metairie metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 9.6% from $34,380 (2021) to $37,681 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,450 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,070 (14.75%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Metairie 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)$26,155$33,596
3-5 years (Mid Career)$33,596$38,555
5+ years (Experienced)$38,555$48,867
10+ years (Top Earner)$48,867$59,761

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

Medical Coder Job Market in Metairie

The job market for medical coders in Metairie consists of around 23 professionals currently employed in this sector. Despite a cost-of-living index of 90.3, significantly below the national average, the take-home purchasing power can still vary widely among employed coders, largely due to employer type. Larger healthcare organizations and specialty clinics tend to offer higher medical coder pay in Metairie, often including benefits that enhance overall compensation. Factors such as shift differentials, the presence of specialty certifications, and varying employer sizes contribute to the wide pay spread observed in the local market. To maximize earning potential, healthcare professionals should consider pursuing additional certifications and aim for positions within larger healthcare systems or specialized practices that typically offer better pay structures.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical coders make in Metairie, LA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical coder salary in Metairie is $38,555/year ($18.54/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $26,155 at entry level (10th percentile) to $59,761 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Metairie at 7.9% 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 Metairie, LA a good place to work as a medical coder?

Metairie medical coder salaries are 7.9% below the national average and 8.8% above the Louisiana state average. The metro area employs approximately 23 medical coders. With a cost-of-living index of 90.3, 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 Metairie?

The median medical coder salary in Metairie is $38,555, and the 90th percentile earns $59,761. 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 Metairie?

After adjusting for Metairie's cost-of-living index of 90.3 (where 100 equals the national average), the $38,555 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $42,697 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 10.7% further in Metairie 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 Metairie?

Medical Coders in Metairie earn a median hourly rate of $18.54, which translates to approximately $38,555/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $12.58 for entry-level positions to $28.73 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 Louisiana

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 $37,681 for medical codersin the Metairie 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 Metairie 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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