Medical Coder Salary in Pennsylvania: $39,179 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median medical coder pay sits at $39,179/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $40,225 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lebanon ($44,032), Philadelphia ($39,760), Bethlehem ($39,426).
In Pennsylvania, the average median salary for medical coders in 2026 is projected to be $39,178, which is 6.4% below the national median of $41,861. Employment opportunities are available across 24 metro areas, with a total of 7,060 medical coders employed statewide. The highest paying city is Lebanon, where salaries can reach $45,054, while Erie offers the lowest at $34,903, creating a significant salary gap of $10,151. This difference is influenced by local demand for healthcare services, the cost of living in various areas, and the concentration of healthcare facilities. Additionally, Pennsylvania's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws affect how coders are trained and hired, potentially impacting salary levels. The job market for medical coders in the state shows a projected growth rate of 2.32%, indicating a steady demand for skilled professionals in the field. Other notable paying cities include Philadelphia at $40,682, Bethlehem at $40,341, Williamsport at $40,199, and Johnstown at $40,183. Prospective medical coders should consider these factors when evaluating career opportunities within Pennsylvania’s healthcare sector.
Pennsylvania Medical Coder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $26,448 (lowest entry-level) to $85,384 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania medical coders earn 6.41% less than the national median ($-2,682/year difference).
Pennsylvania Medical Coder Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Coder salaries in Pennsylvania range from $31,248 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $64,989 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $39,179. The Pennsylvania median is $2,682 below the US national median of $41,861. The average hourly rate is $18.83/hr. Approximately 7,060 medical coders are employed across 24 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$44,150
2025 BLS Actual
$38,290
2026 Current Est.
$39,179
2021–2027 Growth
+-9.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Pennsylvania (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $44,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,527 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,276 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,179 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,087 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -13.3% from $44,150 (2021) to $38,290 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,087 by 2027 — a total increase of $-4,063 (-9.20%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Erie | $34,903 |
| Scranton | $35,247 |
| Altoona | $36,401 |
| West Chester | $36,501 |
| York | $36,704 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Coders in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for medical coders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lebanon | $45,054 | 93.214 | $48,334 |
| Johnstown | $40,183 | 85.929 | $46,763 |
| Williamsport | $40,199 | 92.35 | $43,529 |
| Bethlehem | $40,341 | 97.4 | $41,418 |
| Chambersburg | $39,152 | 94.642 | $41,369 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $31,248 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $39,179 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $64,989 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lebanon | $45,054 |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $40,682 |
| 3 | Bethlehem | $40,341 |
| 4 | Williamsport | $40,199 |
| 5 | Johnstown | $40,183 |
| 6 | Allentown | $39,381 |
| 7 | Chambersburg | $39,152 |
| 8 | State College | $39,029 |
| 9 | Harrisburg | $38,988 |
| 10 | Easton | $38,706 |
| 11 | Wilkes-Barre | $38,368 |
| 12 | Hazleton | $37,835 |
| 13 | Reading | $37,793 |
| 14 | Norristown | $37,762 |
| 15 | Pittsburgh | $37,752 |
| 16 | Chester | $37,674 |
| 17 | New Castle | $37,301 |
| 18 | Lancaster | $37,114 |
| 19 | Pottstown | $36,771 |
| 20 | York | $36,704 |
| 21 | West Chester | $36,501 |
| 22 | Altoona | $36,401 |
| 23 | Scranton | $35,247 |
| 24 | Erie | $34,903 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical coder hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical coders.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Coder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical coders make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical coders in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania medical coder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical coder salary in Pennsylvania?
How many medical coders are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 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