Medical Coder Hourly Pay in Raleigh, NC: $21.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical coder working in Raleigh, NC runs $21.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,481 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Raleigh's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,688 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Raleigh, NC, medical coders earn a median hourly rate of $21.38, which positions them above the national average of $20.13. This premium underscores the attractiveness of working in this vibrant city, particularly for part-time and per-diem roles that are common in clinical settings. For example, a medical coder working three days a week, which translates to about 24 hours, can expect to earn roughly $1,024 biweekly. The hourly pay ranges significantly, from approximately $14.61 for entry-level positions to around $36.98 for the most experienced coders, demonstrating a broad spectrum of earning potential in the profession. This data comes from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures.
Medical Coder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.61 | $116.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.74 | $141.94 |
| Median (P50) | $21.38 | $171.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.87 | $231.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.98 | $295.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Raleigh
Based on $21.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.38/hr, a medical coder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Raleigh, NC can expect to earn approximately $44,481 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,662. With a cost-of-living index of 98.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Raleigh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Raleigh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $855.40 | $3,707 | $44,481 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $513.24 | $2,224 | $26,688 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $342.16 | $1,483 | $17,792 |
Compare CPC, CCS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Coder (Raleigh) | $21.38 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Coders in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $44,481 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.26% higher than the national median of $41,861 and 14.70% above the North Carolina state average of $38,780.
Medical Coder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.38/hr = $26,688/year (purchasing power: $27,189).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,481/year (purchasing power: $45,316).
CoL index: 98.157 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$19.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.38/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Coders in Raleigh (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical coders in Raleigh grew 9.3% from $19.13/hr (2021) to $20.90/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.88/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical coders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Coder in Raleigh
When examining the earning potential of part-time medical coders, the financial picture becomes clearer. A coder working 24 hours a week would generate an annual income near $53,942, substantially less than a full-time coder but with the flexibility that many professionals value. Additionally, per diem medical coders in Raleigh often command rates that are 10-25% higher than standard pay, allowing for more substantial take-home pay even for shorter contracts. Salary variation also exists across employer types; those in private practices may earn less than those in large healthcare organizations or specialty clinics. Many coders make trade-offs between higher hourly pay without benefits versus lower hourly rates that include health insurance. When negotiating pay, it's advantageous to understand local market trends and to consider both hourly rates and the value of benefits to establish the best compensation package.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical coders in Raleigh. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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