Medical Coder Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $48,213 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Salt Lake City, UT earns a median $48,213/year (≈ $23.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Salt Lake City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $47,798 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 28.1% above the Utah state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Projected for 2026, the medical coder salary in Salt Lake City stands at a median of $48,213, reflecting a significant increase compared to national levels. Medical coders in the area can expect earnings ranging from $30,974 in the lowest 10th percentile to as high as $85,130 in the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse salary landscape shaped by factors such as experience and employer type. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for future projections, position Salt Lake City as a competitive market with a higher compensation level—15.17% above the national median salary of $41,861. As the local healthcare sector expands, this outlook presents compelling opportunities for individuals in the coding profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,974 | $14.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,767 | $18.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,213 | $23.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,130 | $40.93 |
Median Salary Position
15.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, UT, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,156 (2026 est.). At $48,213, the local median is 15.17% above the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salt Lake City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salt Lake City Medical Coder Pay Compares
Salt Lake City median: $48,213/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salt Lake City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $37,637 | +28.10% more |
| National Average | $41,861 | +15.17% more |
Medical Coders in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $48,213 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.17% higher than the national median of $41,861 and 28.10% above the Utah state average of $37,637.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salt Lake City has a cost of living 0.87% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 100.868 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,213 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,798 — a 0.86% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$47,270
2025 BLS Actual
$47,120
2026 Current Est.
$48,213
2021–2027 Growth
+4.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Salt Lake City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,213 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,332 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -0.3% from $47,270 (2021) to $47,120 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,332 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,062 (4.36%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City 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) | $30,974 – $38,767 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,767 – $48,213 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,213 – $64,020 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,020 – $85,130 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, about 1,180 medical coders are currently employed, creating a robust job market for coding professionals. The cost-of-living index of 100.868 suggests that while salaries are higher than the national average, they may slightly offset living expenses. Those aiming to optimize their medical coder pay in Salt Lake City UT should consider opportunities in larger healthcare organizations, which typically offer the highest salaries compared to private practices and community health centers. The pay disparity within the field often results from factors like specialty credentials, shift differentials, and comprehensive benefits packages. For best results, coders should pursue certifications and specialized training while negotiating for roles in established institutions that value experience and expertise, which can enhance take-home purchasing power significantly.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 $47,120 for medical codersin the Salt Lake City 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