Medical Coder Salary in Las Cruces, NM: $36,148 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Las Cruces, NM earns a median $36,148/year (≈ $17.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Las Cruces's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $40,070 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.3% above the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Medical coders in Las Cruces, New Mexico, earn a median annual salary of $36,148, reflecting the local job market's specificity within the healthcare industry. With 110 medical coders employed in the area, the market exhibits moderate saturation, which can influence competition for positions. The salary ranges from $27,021 at the lower end to $58,715 at the top, creating a diverse range of compensation opportunities within the sector. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, illustrate the conditions of medical coder pay in Las Cruces, NM. Local employment trends indicate a demand for skilled professionals, impacting how much do medical coders make in Las Cruces.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,021 | $12.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30,663 | $14.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,148 | $17.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,715 | $28.22 |
Median Salary Position
13.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Las Cruces
In Las Cruces, NM, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,694 (2026 est.). At $36,148, the local median is 13.65% below the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Las Cruces: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Las Cruces Medical Coder Pay Compares
Las Cruces median: $36,148/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Las Cruces Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $31,625 | +14.30% more |
| National Average | $41,861 | -13.65% less |
Medical Coders in Las Cruces, NM earn a median of $36,148 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.65% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 14.30% above the New Mexico state average of $31,625.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Las Cruces has a cost of living 9.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Las Cruces, NM has a cost-of-living index of 90.212 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $36,148 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $40,070 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.85% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$34,940
2025 BLS Actual
$35,328
2026 Current Est.
$36,148
2021–2027 Growth
+5.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Las Cruces (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $34,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,328 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,148 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,986 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Las Cruces metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 1.1% from $34,940 (2021) to $35,328 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,986 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,046 (5.86%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Las Cruces 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) | $27,021 – $30,663 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $30,663 – $36,148 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,148 – $47,190 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,190 – $58,715 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Las Cruces
Employed medical coders in Las Cruces face a cost-of-living index of 90.212, making salaries generally more manageable despite the median compensation being lower than the national average. Employers in this region can vary widely in how they compensate their coding staff, with large healthcare organizations typically offering the highest salaries compared to private practices or smaller community health centers. Factors influencing pay include the necessity for specialized credentials and the scale of the employer, where larger entities may provide better benefits and shift differentials. Medical coders willing to enhance their qualifications by obtaining additional certifications can substantially increase their earnings potential. To thrive in the local market, professionals should consider targeting larger healthcare systems while strategically negotiating their salaries based on their skill set and experience.
More salary data for Las Cruces, NM:
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 $35,328 for medical codersin the Las Cruces 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