Medical Coder Pay

Medical Coder Salary in Elizabeth, NJ: $38,933 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Elizabeth, NJ earns a median $38,933/year (≈ $18.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Elizabeth's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $33,796 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the New Jersey state average.

$38,933
Median Annual Salary
$18.71/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$29,074
Entry Level (P10)
$60,346
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In 2026, the medical coder salary in Elizabeth, NJ, is projected to be $38,933, which is slightly below the national median of $41,861. The salary range for medical coders in this area spans from $29,074 at the lower end (P10) to $60,346 at the upper end (P90). These estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost factors, reveal a competitive but nuanced wage environment. Elizabeth's medical coders may find varied opportunities based on employer type, affecting potential earnings, job stability, and growth prospects within the local job market.

About the Elizabeth Market

Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$29,074$13.98
Lower Range (P25)$33,718$16.21
Median (P50)(typical)$38,933$18.71
Upper Range (P75)$49,834$23.96
Top Earners (P90)$60,346$29.01

Median Salary Position

$29,074$60,346
City Median: $38,933
National: $41,861
P10–P90 Range

6.99% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabeth

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical coders in Elizabeth. The median salary is $38,933, compared to the national median of $41,861.$26.2K$35.5K$44.8K$54.1K$63.4K$29.1K10th Pctl$33.7K25th Pctl$38.9KMedian$49.8K75th Pctl$60.3K90th PctlUS Median$41.9K

In Elizabeth, NJ, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,272 (2026 est.). At $38,933, the local median is 6.99% below the national median of $41,861.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$749
per week
$3,244
per month
$38,926
per year

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

How Elizabeth Medical Coder Pay Compares

Elizabeth median: $38,933/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryElizabeth Pays
New Jersey Average$38,585+0.90% more
National Average$41,861-6.99% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical coder median salary in Elizabeth ($38,933) with New Jersey average ($38,585) and the US national median ($41,861).Elizabeth$38,933New Jersey Avg$38,585+0.90%US National$41,861-6.99%

Medical Coders in Elizabeth, NJ earn a median of $38,933 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.99% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 0.90% above the New Jersey state average of $38,585.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$38,933
Nominal Salary
115.2
CoL Index
$33,796
Adjusted Salary

Elizabeth has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.

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

The nominal salary is $38,933. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 115.2, the purchasing-power equivalent is $33,796, a loss of $5,137.$28.7K$33.6K$38.4K$43.3K$48.1K$38,933NominalSalary$33,796CoL Adjusted(CoL: 115.2) -13.19%US Median $41.9K

Elizabeth, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $38,933 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $33,796 — a 13.19% reduction.

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2021 BLS Actual

$34,717

2025 BLS Actual

$38,050

2026 Current Est.

$38,933

2021–2027 Growth

+14.7%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Elizabeth (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 Elizabeth. Baseline $34,717 in 2025, projected to $39,836 by 2027.$27.7K$40.0K$52.2K$64.5K$76.8K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$34.7K$35.1K$36.3K$69.8K$38.0K$38.9K$39.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$34,717Actual
2022$35,104Actual
2023$36,294Actual
2024$69,753Actual
2025$38,050Actual
2026(current)$38,933Estimated
2027$39,836Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabeth metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 9.6% from $34,717 (2021) to $38,050 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,836 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,119 (14.74%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabeth 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)$29,074$33,718
3-5 years (Mid Career)$33,718$38,933
5+ years (Experienced)$38,933$49,834
10+ years (Top Earner)$49,834$60,346

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

Medical Coder Job Market in Elizabeth

With 25 medical coders currently employed in Elizabeth, the local job market offers a supportive environment for professionals in this field. However, aspiring coders should be mindful of the cost of living in the area, which has a CoL index of 115.2, indicating higher living expenses compared to the national average. Employers that typically offer the highest medical coder pay in Elizabeth NJ include large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics, possibly due to their resources and patient volume. Factors driving the salary variation include shift differentials, specialized credentials, and employer size; these elements can significantly impact overall compensation. To maximize pay in this specific market, coders are advised to consider obtaining advanced certifications, gaining experience in specialized fields, and pursuing roles with larger institutions that may offer enhanced benefits packages.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical coders make in Elizabeth, NJ in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical coder salary in Elizabeth is $38,933/year ($18.71/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $29,074 at entry level (10th percentile) to $60,346 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Elizabeth at 7.0% 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 Elizabeth, NJ a good place to work as a medical coder?

Elizabeth medical coder salaries are 7.0% below the national average and 0.9% above the New Jersey state average. The metro area employs approximately 25 medical coders. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical coders make $100K in Elizabeth?

The median medical coder salary in Elizabeth is $38,933, and the 90th percentile earns $60,346. 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 Elizabeth?

After adjusting for Elizabeth's cost-of-living index of 115.2 (where 100 equals the national average), the $38,933 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $33,796 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Elizabeth reduce the effective value of your salary by 13.2% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

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

Medical Coders in Elizabeth earn a median hourly rate of $18.71, which translates to approximately $38,933/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $13.98 for entry-level positions to $29.01 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

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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 $38,050 for medical codersin the Elizabeth 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 Elizabeth 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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