Medical Coder Salary in Appleton, WI: $51,987 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Appleton, WI earns a median $51,987/year (≈ $25.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Appleton's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.4), that paycheck buys what $56,251 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With around 100 medical coders currently employed in Appleton, Wisconsin, the market demonstrates a stable yet competitive landscape for this vital healthcare role. The 2026 median annual salary for a medical coder in Appleton is projected at $51,987, significantly outpacing the national median of $41,861 by 24.19%. This indicates a demand for skilled medical coders in the area, supporting a salary range that spans from $38,079 at the tenth percentile to $56,653 at the ninetieth percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlight the advantageous compensation that qualifies medical coding professionals in the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,079 | $18.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,175 | $19.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,987 | $25.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,640 | $25.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,653 | $27.24 |
Median Salary Position
24.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Appleton
In Appleton, WI, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,574 (2026 est.). At $51,987, the local median is 24.19% above the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Appleton: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Appleton Medical Coder Pay Compares
Appleton median: $51,987/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Appleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $48,315 | +7.60% more |
| National Average | $41,861 | +24.19% more |
Medical Coders in Appleton, WI earn a median of $51,987 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.19% higher than the national median of $41,861 and 7.60% above the Wisconsin state average of $48,315.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Appleton has a cost of living 7.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Appleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.419 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $51,987 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,251 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.2% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$47,900
2025 BLS Actual
$50,808
2026 Current Est.
$51,987
2021–2027 Growth
+11.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Appleton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,808 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,987 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,193 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Appleton metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 6.1% from $47,900 (2021) to $50,808 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,193 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,293 (11.05%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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) | $38,079 – $40,175 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,175 – $51,987 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,987 – $53,640 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,640 – $56,653 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Appleton
In Appleton, the cost of living index sits at 92.419, indicating a lower-than-average cost of living, which positively impacts the purchasing power of medical coder pay in Appleton, WI. Major employers, including large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics, tend to offer the highest remuneration packages, often influenced by factors such as shift differentials and additional credentials. The spread in salaries can also be attributed to the size of the employer and the structure of benefits offered. To maximize earning potential, medical coders should consider seeking opportunities in larger healthcare settings and pursue relevant certifications or specialization. Additionally, remaining flexible with work hours may provide avenues for increased compensation through differential pay.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
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 $50,808 for medical codersin the Appleton 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