Medical Coder Salary in Wausau, WI: $41,485 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Wausau, WI earns a median $41,485/year (≈ $19.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $44,776 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.2% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wausau, Wisconsin, medical coders are projected to earn a median annual salary of $41,485 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $41,861 for the same year. The salary range for medical coders in this city spans from $34,101 at the lower 10th percentile to as high as $61,793 for the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the local economic situation. Notably, Wausau’s compensation for medical coders does not align with the Wisconsin state average, likely influenced by the area's cost of living and the number of practitioners in the workforce.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,101 | $16.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,455 | $18.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,485 | $19.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,433 | $23.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,793 | $29.71 |
Median Salary Position
0.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,692 (2026 est.). At $41,485, the local median is 0.9% below the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wausau Medical Coder Pay Compares
Wausau median: $41,485/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $48,350 | -14.20% less |
| National Average | $41,861 | -0.90% less |
Medical Coders in Wausau, WI earn a median of $41,485 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.90% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 14.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $48,350.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau has a cost of living 7.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.651 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $41,485 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,776 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$46,660
2025 BLS Actual
$40,544
2026 Current Est.
$41,485
2021–2027 Growth
+-9.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Wausau (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,544 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,485 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,447 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -13.1% from $46,660 (2021) to $40,544 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,447 by 2027 — a total increase of $-4,213 (-9.03%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $34,101 – $39,455 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,455 – $41,485 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,485 – $49,433 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,433 – $61,793 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Wausau
The job market for medical coders in Wausau includes around 60 professionals working in various healthcare settings. With a cost of living index of 92.651, take-home purchasing power for coders is relatively favorable compared to the national average. Employers that generally offer the most competitive salaries include large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics, which tend to provide greater resources for training and professional development. Factors such as shift differentials, possession of advanced coding credentials, and the organizational structure of employers can significantly influence salary variations. To optimize earnings, medical coders in Wausau may consider pursuing specialized certifications and gaining experience in the highest-paying facilities, as these strategies can enhance their pay potential.
More salary data for Wausau, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can medical coders make $100K in Wausau?
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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 $40,544 for medical codersin the Wausau 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