Medical Coder Pay

Medical Coder Salary in Zachary, LA: $32,963 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Zachary, LA earns a median $32,963/year (โ‰ˆ $15.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Zachary's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $36,504 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Louisiana state average.

$32,963
Median Annual Salary
$15.85/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$26,272
Entry Level (P10)
$50,391
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

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

In 2026, the typical medical coder salary in Zachary, Louisiana, is projected to reach $32,963, which is significantly lower than the national median of $41,861. Salaries in this field can vary greatly, with the lowest earners making approximately $26,272 and the highest earning up to $50,391. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and consider local economic factors and regional price adjustments. Given Zachary's cost of living index is at 90.3, which is below the national average, this impacts the purchasing power of local medical coders, highlighting the challenge of making a competitive salary in this market.

About the Zachary Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$26,272$12.63
Lower Range (P25)$29,339$14.11
Median (P50)(typical)$32,963$15.85
Upper Range (P75)$39,562$19.02
Top Earners (P90)$50,391$24.23

Median Salary Position

$26,272$50,391
City Median: $32,963
National: $41,861
P10โ€“P90 Range

21.26% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Zachary

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical coders in Zachary. The median salary is $32,963, compared to the national median of $41,861.$23.6K$31.0K$38.3K$45.6K$52.9K$26.3K10th Pctl$29.3K25th Pctl$33.0KMedian$39.6K75th Pctl$50.4K90th PctlUS Median$41.9K

In Zachary, LA, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,119 (2026 est.). At $32,963, the local median is 21.26% below the national median of $41,861.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$634
per week
$2,747
per month
$32,967
per year

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

How Zachary Medical Coder Pay Compares

Zachary median: $32,963/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryZachary Pays
Louisiana Average$35,445-7.00% less
National Average$41,861-21.26% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical coder median salary in Zachary ($32,963) with Louisiana average ($35,445) and the US national median ($41,861).Zachary$32,963Louisiana Avg$35,445-7.00%US National$41,861-21.26%

Medical Coders in Zachary, LA earn a median of $32,963 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.26% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 7.00% below the Louisiana state average of $35,445.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$32,963
Nominal Salary
90.3
CoL Index
$36,504
Adjusted Salary

Zachary has a cost of living 9.70% 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 $32,963. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 90.3, the purchasing-power equivalent is $36,504, a gain of $3,541.$28.0K$33.0K$38.1K$43.1K$48.1K$32,963NominalSalary$36,504CoL Adjusted(CoL: 90.3)โ–ฒ 10.74%US Median $41.9K

Zachary, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $32,963 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $36,504 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 10.74% boost.

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2021 BLS Actual

$29,394

2025 BLS Actual

$32,216

2026 Current Est.

$32,963

2021โ€“2027 Growth

+14.7%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Zachary (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 Zachary. Baseline $29,394 in 2025, projected to $33,728 by 2027.$28.2K$30.3K$32.3K$34.4K$36.4K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$29.4K$29.7K$30.7K$35.3K$32.2K$33.0K$33.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$29,394Actual
2022$29,721Actual
2023$30,729Actual
2024$35,273Actual
2025$32,216Actual
2026(current)$32,963Estimated
2027$33,728Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Zachary metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 9.6% from $29,394 (2021) to $32,216 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $33,728 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $4,334 (14.74%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (2021โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Zachary 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)$26,272 โ€“ $29,339
3-5 years (Mid Career)$29,339 โ€“ $32,963
5+ years (Experienced)$32,963 โ€“ $39,562
10+ years (Top Earner)$39,562 โ€“ $50,391

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

Medical Coder Job Market in Zachary

In Zachary, the job market for medical coders features a modest workforce consisting of six employed individuals in this role. The lower cost of living might provide some relief, but it does not fully offset the gap between local compensation and national averages. Among various employers, larger healthcare organizations typically offer higher pay compared to community health centers and private practices. Factors driving income disparities include specialties that require additional credentials, shift differentials, and the size of the employing organization. To maximize medical coder pay in Zachary, professionals should consider pursuing relevant certifications, seeking positions in larger facilities, and being flexible with shifts. Engaging in networking opportunities can also create pathways to better employment opportunities in a market with limited coding positions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median medical coder salary in Zachary is $32,963/year ($15.85/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $26,272 at entry level (10th percentile) to $50,391 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Zachary at 21.3% 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 Zachary, LA a good place to work as a medical coder?

Zachary medical coder salaries are 21.3% below the national average and 7.0% below the Louisiana state average. The metro area employs approximately 6 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 Zachary?

The median medical coder salary in Zachary is $32,963, and the 90th percentile earns $50,391. 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 Zachary?

After adjusting for Zachary's cost-of-living index of 90.3 (where 100 equals the national average), the $32,963 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $36,504 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 10.7% further in Zachary 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 Zachary?

Medical Coders in Zachary earn a median hourly rate of $15.85, which translates to approximately $32,963/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $12.63 for entry-level positions to $24.23 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 $32,216 for medical codersin the Zachary 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 Zachary 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

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