Medical Coder Salary in Wisconsin: $49,670 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median medical coder pay sits at $49,670/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $53,180 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Waukesha ($53,247), Milwaukee ($52,584), Onalaska ($52,364).
In 2026, the average median salary for medical coders in Wisconsin is projected to be $49,670, which is significantly higher than the national median of $41,861, marking an 18.7% increase. The salary range across the state shows variability, with Waukesha leading at $54,482 and Fond du Lac at $39,774. This gap of $14,708 can be attributed to factors such as local demand for healthcare services, cost of living differences, and the presence of major healthcare providers in more urban centers. Wisconsin has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence the workforce, contributing to a steady demand for trained medical coders. The projected annual growth rate for the profession is 2.32%, indicating a stable job market. In terms of salary by city, the top five markets forecasted for 2026 include Milwaukee at $53,804, Onalaska at $53,579, La Crosse at $52,871, and Appleton at $51,987. With a total of 2,188 medical coders employed statewide, the outlook for this profession remains positive as the healthcare sector continues to grow.
Wisconsin Medical Coder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $32,993 (lowest entry-level) to $83,834 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin medical coders earn 18.65% more than the national median (+$7,809/year difference).
Wisconsin Medical Coder Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Coder salaries in Wisconsin range from $38,146 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $64,622 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $49,670. The Wisconsin median is $7,809 above the US national median of $41,861. The average hourly rate is $23.88/hr. Approximately 2,188 medical coders are employed across 46 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$47,996
2025 BLS Actual
$48,544
2026 Current Est.
$49,670
2021–2027 Growth
+5.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Wisconsin (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47,996 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,487 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,599 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,304 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,544 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,670 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,823 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 1.1% from $47,996 (2021) to $48,544 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,823 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,827 (5.89%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fond du Lac | $39,774 |
| Eau Claire | $40,625 |
| Wausau | $41,485 |
| Green Bay | $42,442 |
| Wisconsin Rapids | $44,307 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Coders in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for medical coders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | $54,482 | 93.4 | $58,332 |
| La Crosse | $52,871 | 91.769 | $57,613 |
| Onalaska | $53,579 | 93.4 | $57,365 |
| Appleton | $51,987 | 92.419 | $56,251 |
| Milwaukee | $53,804 | 96.937 | $55,504 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,146 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $49,670 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $64,622 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waukesha | $54,482 |
| 2 | Milwaukee | $53,804 |
| 3 | Onalaska | $53,579 |
| 4 | La Crosse | $52,871 |
| 5 | Appleton | $51,987 |
| 6 | Madison | $50,636 |
| 7 | Beloit | $48,898 |
| 8 | Janesville | $48,786 |
| 9 | West Allis | $48,363 |
| 10 | Fitchburg | $48,042 |
| 11 | Greenfield | $48,038 |
| 12 | Kenosha | $47,927 |
| 13 | Oshkosh | $47,861 |
| 14 | Racine | $47,678 |
| 15 | Menomonee Falls | $47,622 |
| 16 | Brookfield | $47,509 |
| 17 | West Bend | $47,484 |
| 18 | De Pere | $47,446 |
| 19 | New Berlin | $47,356 |
| 20 | Sun Prairie | $46,955 |
| 21 | Caledonia | $46,827 |
| 22 | Mount Pleasant | $46,804 |
| 23 | Muskego | $46,725 |
| 24 | Stevens Point | $46,509 |
| 25 | Franklin | $46,456 |
| 26 | Oak Creek | $46,310 |
| 27 | Superior | $46,238 |
| 28 | Manitowoc | $46,216 |
| 29 | Sheboygan | $46,178 |
| 30 | Pewaukee | $46,044 |
| 31 | South Milwaukee | $45,909 |
| 32 | Pleasant Prairie | $45,902 |
| 33 | Menomonie | $45,855 |
| 34 | Whitewater | $45,852 |
| 35 | Wauwatosa | $45,811 |
| 36 | Germantown | $45,779 |
| 37 | Marshfield | $45,761 |
| 38 | River Falls | $45,535 |
| 39 | Mequon | $45,161 |
| 40 | Platteville | $45,157 |
| 41 | Middleton | $44,677 |
| 42 | Wisconsin Rapids | $44,307 |
| 43 | Green Bay | $42,442 |
| 44 | Wausau | $41,485 |
| 45 | Eau Claire | $40,625 |
| 46 | Fond du Lac | $39,774 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
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 Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical coders in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin medical coder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical coder salary in Wisconsin?
How many medical coders are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 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