Medical Coder Salary in Asheville, NC: $36,246 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Asheville, NC earns a median $36,246/year (≈ $17.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Asheville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $37,558 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Asheville, North Carolina, the 2026 projected median annual salary for medical coders is estimated at $36,246, reflecting a notable difference when compared to the national median of $41,861. This compensation, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, shows a salary range from $31,056 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $54,623 for those at the higher end (90th percentile). Such figures indicate that while medical coder pay in Asheville NC is below the national average by approximately 13.41%, the adjusted cost of living, which stands at an index of 96.506, can influence purchasing power positively. This environment presents a potentially favorable job market for aspiring coders, especially with a continual demand for skilled professionals in the healthcare industry.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,056 | $14.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,842 | $15.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,246 | $17.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,490 | $20.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,623 | $26.26 |
Median Salary Position
13.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Asheville
In Asheville, NC, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,567 (2026 est.). At $36,246, the local median is 13.41% below the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Asheville: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Asheville Medical Coder Pay Compares
Asheville median: $36,246/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Asheville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $38,766 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $41,861 | -13.41% less |
Medical Coders in Asheville, NC earn a median of $36,246 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.41% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 6.50% below the North Carolina state average of $38,766.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Asheville has a cost of living 3.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Asheville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.506 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $36,246 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $37,558 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.62% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$46,950
2025 BLS Actual
$35,424
2026 Current Est.
$36,246
2021–2027 Growth
+-21.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Asheville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,424 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,246 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,087 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Asheville metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -24.5% from $46,950 (2021) to $35,424 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,087 by 2027 — a total increase of $-9,863 (-21.01%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Asheville 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) | $31,056 – $31,842 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,842 – $36,246 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,246 – $43,490 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,490 – $54,623 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Asheville
With 270 medical coders currently employed in the Asheville area, the local job market exhibits a growing need for these vital roles. The cost of living index indicates that while salaries may lag behind national figures, they can still provide a relatively comfortable lifestyle. Employers like large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics generally offer more competitive salaries compared to private practices or community health centers. To capitalize on the potential for increased earnings, coders in Asheville should consider pursuing specialty credentials and optimizing their skills. Fostering relationships with larger employers could also yield higher rewards, particularly for those willing to accommodate flexible scheduling or night shifts, which often come with pay differentials.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical coders make in Asheville, NC in 2026?
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Can medical coders make $100K in Asheville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical coder salary in Asheville?
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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 $35,424 for medical codersin the Asheville 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