Medical Coder Salary in Wilmington, NC: $35,141 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Wilmington, NC earns a median $35,141/year (≈ $16.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $36,445 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for a medical coder in 2026 is estimated to be $35,141, reflecting a competitive local market. The salary range for medical coders spans from $30,352 at the 10th percentile to as high as $89,559 at the 90th percentile, painting a diverse picture of compensation in the area. With about 220 medical coders currently employed locally, this number indicates a balanced market presence, which contributes to a stable employment outlook. Furthermore, this data derives from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, highlighting the regional dynamics of medical coder pay in Wilmington, NC compared to the broader national median of $41,861.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,352 | $14.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,759 | $15.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,141 | $16.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,494 | $22.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,559 | $43.06 |
Median Salary Position
16.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,207 (2026 est.). At $35,141, the local median is 16.05% below the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Wilmington Medical Coder Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $35,141/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $38,787 | -9.40% less |
| National Average | $41,861 | -16.05% less |
Medical Coders in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $35,141 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.05% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 9.40% below the North Carolina state average of $38,787.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $35,141 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $36,445 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,130
2025 BLS Actual
$34,344
2026 Current Est.
$35,141
2021–2027 Growth
+-0.5%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Wilmington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,344 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,141 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,956 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -4.9% from $36,130 (2021) to $34,344 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $-174 (-0.48%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $30,352 – $32,759 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,759 – $35,141 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,141 – $46,494 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,494 – $89,559 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Wilmington
While the compensation for medical coders in Wilmington shows a lower average compared to national figures, the local cost of living index is 96.422, slightly below the national average of 100. This factor can boost the purchasing power of locally earned salaries. Medical coders in Wilmington can find better pay opportunities with large healthcare organizations, while private practices and community health centers tend to offer lower wages. The spread between the highest and lowest pay levels in this market can be attributed to several factors, including the presence of shift differentials, specialty certifications, and varying employer sizes offering differing benefits. For those aiming to maximize their medical coder pay in Wilmington, acquiring certifications or seeking roles in specialized clinics could be advantageous strategies. Understanding the local employment landscape and the specific demands of potential employers can significantly influence financial outcomes in this field.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical coders make in Wilmington, NC in 2026?
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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 $34,344 for medical codersin the Wilmington 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