Medical Coder Salary in La Crosse, WI: $52,871 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in La Crosse, WI earns a median $52,871/year (≈ $25.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $57,613 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.4% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In La Crosse, Wisconsin, medical coders earn a median annual salary of $52,871, reflecting a significant purchasing power boost compared to the national median of $41,861. This local figure is further augmented by a salary range that spans from $38,824 at the 10th percentile to $82,724 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy variance that reflects both experience and specialization within the field. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating a positive outlook for those entering the profession in this market. The job market here remains attractive for medical coders, guided by the city's favorable cost of living index of 91.769, which suggests a lower-than-average cost environment compared to other regions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,824 | $18.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,565 | $20.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,871 | $25.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,875 | $32.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,724 | $39.77 |
Median Salary Position
26.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,900 (2026 est.). At $52,871, the local median is 26.3% above the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in La Crosse: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How La Crosse Medical Coder Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $52,871/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $48,328 | +9.40% more |
| National Average | $41,861 | +26.30% more |
Medical Coders in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $52,871 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.30% higher than the national median of $41,861 and 9.40% above the Wisconsin state average of $48,328.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Crosse has a cost of living 8.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Crosse, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.769 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $52,871 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,613 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$45,810
2025 BLS Actual
$51,672
2026 Current Est.
$52,871
2021–2027 Growth
+18.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in La Crosse (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $45,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,060 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,672 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,871 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,097 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 12.8% from $45,810 (2021) to $51,672 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,097 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,287 (18.09%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Crosse 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) | $38,824 – $42,565 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,565 – $52,871 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,871 – $67,875 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,875 – $82,724 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in La Crosse
The employment landscape for medical coders in La Crosse consists of around 70 professionals, creating a niche market for this occupation. With a cost of living index below the national average, take-home pay can translate into decent purchasing power for coders who manage to secure positions within larger healthcare organizations, which typically offer higher compensation compared to private practices or smaller community health centers. The variation in pay hinges on several factors, including shift differentials, specialized credentials, and the size of the employing institution. Those seeking to maximize their medical coder pay in La Crosse, WI, should consider pursuing additional certifications and gravitating towards larger employers, such as hospitals or integrated health systems, which tend to offer comprehensive benefits and competitive salaries.
More salary data for La Crosse, 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 $51,672 for medical codersin the La Crosse 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