Medical Coder Salary in North Carolina: $42,780 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median medical coder pay sits at $42,780/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $45,705 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Winston ($50,072), Greenville ($50,056), Chapel Hill ($46,215).
In 2026, the average median salary for medical coders in North Carolina is projected to be $42,780, slightly above the national median of $41,861, reflecting a favorable trend with a 2.2% increase compared to national averages. The salary range across cities is significant, with Winston offering the highest average at $51,234, while Hickory presents the lowest at $32,661, creating a notable disparity of $18,573. This difference is driven by local demand for healthcare services, varying cost of living, and the presence of larger healthcare facilities in metropolitan areas like Winston and Greenville. North Carolina has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact job opportunities. The projected annual growth rate for this field is 2.32%, indicating a steady demand for skilled medical coders. As healthcare continues to expand, so does the necessity for accurate coding to ensure proper reimbursement and compliance, leading to promising job market prospects. With a total of 5,914 employed medical coders across the state, cities like Greenville ($51,217), Chapel Hill ($47,287), Durham ($46,895), and Raleigh ($44,481) also show strong potential for growth, making North Carolina an appealing location for professionals in this field.
North Carolina Medical Coder Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $25,515 (lowest entry-level) to $89,559 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina medical coders earn 2.20% more than the national median (+$919/year difference).
North Carolina Medical Coder Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Coder salaries in North Carolina range from $30,976 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $66,399 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $42,780. The North Carolina median is $919 above the US national median of $41,861. The average hourly rate is $20.57/hr. Approximately 5,914 medical coders are employed across 45 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$42,323
2025 BLS Actual
$41,810
2026 Current Est.
$42,780
2021–2027 Growth
+3.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in North Carolina (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $42,323 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,979 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,789 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,341 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,780 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,773 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -1.2% from $42,323 (2021) to $41,810 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,773 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,450 (3.43%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hickory | $32,661 |
| Rocky Mount | $33,037 |
| Wilmington | $35,141 |
| Burlington | $35,378 |
| Leland | $35,999 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Coders in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for medical coders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | $51,217 | 88.402 | $57,936 |
| Winston | $51,234 | 92.043 | $55,663 |
| Chapel Hill | $47,287 | 93.6 | $50,520 |
| Durham | $46,895 | 97.572 | $48,062 |
| Cary | $44,269 | 93.6 | $47,296 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $30,976 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $42,780 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $66,399 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winston | $51,234 |
| 2 | Greenville | $51,217 |
| 3 | Chapel Hill | $47,287 |
| 4 | Durham | $46,895 |
| 5 | Raleigh | $44,481 |
| 6 | Cary | $44,269 |
| 7 | Concord | $42,521 |
| 8 | Jacksonville | $42,508 |
| 9 | Fayetteville | $42,213 |
| 10 | Charlotte | $41,837 |
| 11 | Gastonia | $40,944 |
| 12 | Winston-Salem | $40,178 |
| 13 | Huntersville | $39,182 |
| 14 | Kannapolis | $39,121 |
| 15 | Apex | $39,029 |
| 16 | Pinehurst | $38,767 |
| 17 | Statesville | $38,445 |
| 18 | Kernersville | $38,412 |
| 19 | Matthews | $38,322 |
| 20 | Cornelius | $38,255 |
| 21 | Sanford | $38,223 |
| 22 | Wake Forest | $38,222 |
| 23 | Morrisville | $38,204 |
| 24 | Fuquay-Varina | $38,102 |
| 25 | Salisbury | $38,096 |
| 26 | Thomasville | $38,032 |
| 27 | New Bern | $38,018 |
| 28 | Mint Hill | $38,009 |
| 29 | Holly Springs | $37,407 |
| 30 | Mooresville | $37,290 |
| 31 | Monroe | $37,274 |
| 32 | Garner | $37,190 |
| 33 | Wilson | $37,164 |
| 34 | Boone | $37,002 |
| 35 | Greensboro | $36,983 |
| 36 | Indian Trail | $36,682 |
| 37 | Carrboro | $36,538 |
| 38 | Goldsboro | $36,426 |
| 39 | High Point | $36,413 |
| 40 | Asheville | $36,246 |
| 41 | Leland | $35,999 |
| 42 | Burlington | $35,378 |
| 43 | Wilmington | $35,141 |
| 44 | Rocky Mount | $33,037 |
| 45 | Hickory | $32,661 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical coder hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical coders.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Coder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical coders make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical coders in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina medical coder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical coder salary in North Carolina?
How many medical coders are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina city offers the best value for medical coders?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical coder compensation across North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical coderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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