Medical Coder Salary in Virginia: $41,375 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median medical coder pay sits at $41,375/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $40,092 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Charlottesville ($50,080), Alexandria ($46,651), Richmond ($41,096).
In Virginia, the average median salary for medical coders in 2026 is projected to be $41,375, which is slightly below the national median of $41,861, reflecting a difference of -1.2%. The highest paying city in the state is Charlottesville, where salaries can reach up to $51,242, while Winchester offers the lowest average salary at $32,382, creating a significant gap of $18,860. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local healthcare facility demand, and the concentration of health services in urban areas. Virginia has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence the profession. The demand for medical coders is expected to rise, supported by a projected annual growth rate of 2.32%, indicating steady job opportunities for those entering the field. The top five cities projected for 2026 based on salary are Charlottesville, Alexandria at $47,733, Richmond at $42,049, Norfolk at $42,029, and Chesapeake at $41,572. Those considering a career as a medical coder in Virginia should assess local market conditions and potential earnings in their target area to make informed decisions.
Virginia Medical Coder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $25,907 (lowest entry-level) to $73,987 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia medical coders earn 1.16% less than the national median ($-486/year difference).
Virginia Medical Coder Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Coder salaries in Virginia range from $30,157 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $61,003 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $41,375. The Virginia median is $486 below the US national median of $41,861. The average hourly rate is $19.89/hr. Approximately 2,891 medical coders are employed across 42 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$46,583
2025 BLS Actual
$40,437
2026 Current Est.
$41,375
2021–2027 Growth
+-9.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Virginia (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,583 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,835 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,982 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,858 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,437 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,375 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,335 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -13.2% from $46,583 (2021) to $40,437 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,335 by 2027 — a total increase of $-4,248 (-9.12%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Winchester | $32,382 |
| Falls Church | $36,021 |
| Herndon | $36,594 |
| Williamsburg | $36,994 |
| Annandale | $37,064 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Coders in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for medical coders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charlottesville | $51,242 | 99.146 | $51,683 |
| Alexandria | $47,733 | 103.2 | $46,253 |
| Staunton | $39,512 | 91.128 | $43,359 |
| Lynchburg | $38,620 | 89.363 | $43,217 |
| Richmond | $42,049 | 97.858 | $42,969 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $30,157 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $41,375 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $61,003 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Charlottesville | $51,242 |
| 2 | Alexandria | $47,733 |
| 3 | Richmond | $42,049 |
| 4 | Norfolk | $42,029 |
| 5 | Chesapeake | $41,572 |
| 6 | Virginia Beach | $41,411 |
| 7 | Staunton | $39,512 |
| 8 | Newport News | $39,370 |
| 9 | Hampton | $39,023 |
| 10 | Centreville | $38,841 |
| 11 | Lynchburg | $38,620 |
| 12 | Radford | $38,603 |
| 13 | Burke | $38,578 |
| 14 | Harrisonburg | $38,497 |
| 15 | Roanoke | $38,448 |
| 16 | Suffolk | $38,411 |
| 17 | Bristol | $38,377 |
| 18 | Tuckahoe | $38,301 |
| 19 | Ashburn | $38,246 |
| 20 | McLean | $38,244 |
| 21 | Reston | $38,203 |
| 22 | Danville | $38,195 |
| 23 | Fredericksburg | $38,031 |
| 24 | Dale City | $38,024 |
| 25 | Manassas | $37,983 |
| 26 | Blacksburg | $37,940 |
| 27 | Salem | $37,877 |
| 28 | Leesburg | $37,823 |
| 29 | Portsmouth | $37,801 |
| 30 | Mechanicsville | $37,741 |
| 31 | Springfield | $37,608 |
| 32 | Woodbridge | $37,556 |
| 33 | Sterling | $37,483 |
| 34 | Lake Ridge | $37,435 |
| 35 | Linton Hall | $37,392 |
| 36 | Fairfax | $37,297 |
| 37 | Waynesboro | $37,114 |
| 38 | Annandale | $37,064 |
| 39 | Williamsburg | $36,994 |
| 40 | Herndon | $36,594 |
| 41 | Falls Church | $36,021 |
| 42 | Winchester | $32,382 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical coder hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical coders.
Explore More Medical Coder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical coders make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical coders in Virginia?
How does Virginia medical coder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical coder salary in Virginia?
How many medical coders are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia 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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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