Medical Coder Salary in Watertown, NY: $41,657 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Watertown, NY earns a median $41,657/year (≈ $20.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Watertown's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.7), that paycheck buys what $47,505 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected annual salary for medical coders in Watertown, NY is estimated at $41,657 for 2026, slightly trailing behind the national median of $41,861. Comparatively, the salary range spans from $35,599 at the 10th percentile to $62,022 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This reflects a competitive local market for individuals engaged in medical coding, providing a reasonable outlook for those considering this career path. The salaries here are influenced by various factors including local demand, the cost of living, and employer types, making it an interesting landscape for potential or current medical coders in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,599 | $17.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,970 | $19.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,657 | $20.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,292 | $24.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,022 | $29.82 |
Median Salary Position
0.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Watertown
In Watertown, NY, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,423 (2026 est.). At $41,657, the local median is 0.49% below the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Watertown: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Watertown Medical Coder Pay Compares
Watertown median: $41,657/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Watertown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $42,205 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $41,861 | -0.49% less |
Medical Coders in Watertown, NY earn a median of $41,657 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.49% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 1.30% below the New York state average of $42,205.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Watertown has a cost of living 12.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Watertown, NY has a cost-of-living index of 87.69 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $41,657 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,505 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.04% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,960
2025 BLS Actual
$40,712
2026 Current Est.
$41,657
2021–2027 Growth
+6.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Watertown (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $39,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,712 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,657 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,623 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Watertown metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 1.9% from $39,960 (2021) to $40,712 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,623 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,663 (6.66%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Watertown 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) | $35,599 – $39,970 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,970 – $41,657 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,657 – $50,292 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,292 – $62,022 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Watertown
In Watertown, approximately 70 medical coders are employed, indicating a specialized local workforce. The cost-of-living index stands at 87.69, suggesting that while the medical coder salary in Watertown is slightly lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains relatively strong in this area. Among local employers, large healthcare organizations typically offer higher salaries compared to private practices or community health centers. Variations in pay are driven by factors such as shift differentials, specialty credentials, and how robust the benefits structure is for each employer. To maximize pay in Watertown NY, aspiring medical coders should seek opportunities with larger companies, pursue additional certifications, and consider negotiating for shift premium positions, all of which contribute positively to their overall compensation package.
More salary data for Watertown, NY:
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 $40,712 for medical codersin the Watertown 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