Medical Coder Pay

Medical Coder Salary in Valdosta, GA: $38,284 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Valdosta, GA earns a median $38,284/year (โ‰ˆ $18.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Valdosta's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.3), that paycheck buys what $43,371 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Georgia state average.

$38,284
Median Annual Salary
$18.41/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$24,876
Entry Level (P10)
$56,063
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data ยท View source

Medical Coder Salary in Valdosta, GA โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Valdosta, GA medical coder salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Valdosta, Georgia, medical coders can expect a median annual salary of $38,284 in 2026, which trails the national median of $41,861 by a notable margin. The salary for medical coders in this southern city ranges from $24,876 at the entry-level to $56,063 at the higher end of the pay scale. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, indicate that while the local compensation may not be on par with national averages, it reflects the unique economic landscape of Valdosta. Understanding this gap is crucial for professionals in healthcare administration and coding as they consider their career options within the region.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$24,876$11.96
Lower Range (P25)$28,257$13.59
Median (P50)(typical)$38,284$18.41
Upper Range (P75)$45,299$21.78
Top Earners (P90)$56,063$26.95

Median Salary Position

$24,876$56,063
City Median: $38,284
National: $41,861
P10โ€“P90 Range

8.54% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Valdosta

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical coders in Valdosta. The median salary is $38,284, compared to the national median of $41,861.$22.4K$31.5K$40.6K$49.7K$58.9K$24.9K10th Pctl$28.3K25th Pctl$38.3KMedian$45.3K75th Pctl$56.1K90th PctlUS Median$41.9K

In Valdosta, GA, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,187 (2026 est.). At $38,284, the local median is 8.54% below the national median of $41,861.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of medical coder pay in the Valdosta metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$736
per week
$3,191
per month
$38,287
per year

At 40 hours/week in Valdosta: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Valdosta Medical Coder Pay Compares

Valdosta median: $38,284/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryValdosta Pays
Georgia Average$38,361-0.20% less
National Average$41,861-8.54% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical coder median salary in Valdosta ($38,284) with Georgia average ($38,361) and the US national median ($41,861).Valdosta$38,284Georgia Avg$38,361-0.20%US National$41,861-8.54%

Medical Coders in Valdosta, GA earn a median of $38,284 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.54% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 0.20% below the Georgia state average of $38,361.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$38,284
Nominal Salary
88.271
CoL Index
$43,371
Adjusted Salary

Valdosta has a cost of living 11.73% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal ร— (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $38,284. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 88.271, the purchasing-power equivalent is $43,371, a gain of $5,087.$32.5K$36.9K$41.2K$45.5K$49.9K$38,284NominalSalary$43,371CoL Adjusted(CoL: 88.271)โ–ฒ 13.29%US Median $41.9K

Valdosta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 88.271 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $38,284 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,371 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 13.29% boost.

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2021 BLS Actual

$35,420

2025 BLS Actual

$37,416

2026 Current Est.

$38,284

2021โ€“2027 Growth

+10.6%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Valdosta (2021โ€“2027)

2021โ€“2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical coders in Valdosta. Baseline $35,420 in 2025, projected to $39,172 by 2027.$33.4K$35.4K$37.4K$39.4K$41.5K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$35.4K$34.5K$40.3K$38.7K$37.4K$38.3K$39.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$35,420Actual
2022$34,519Actual
2023$40,310Actual
2024$38,690Actual
2025$37,416Actual
2026(current)$38,284Estimated
2027$39,172Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Valdosta metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 5.6% from $35,420 (2021) to $37,416 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,172 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $3,752 (10.59%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (2021โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Valdosta metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$24,876 โ€“ $28,257
3-5 years (Mid Career)$28,257 โ€“ $38,284
5+ years (Experienced)$38,284 โ€“ $45,299
10+ years (Top Earner)$45,299 โ€“ $56,063

CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Medical Coder Job Market in Valdosta

With approximately 70 medical coders employed in Valdosta, the job market offers a blend of opportunities across various healthcare settings, including private practices and larger healthcare organizations. The cost of living index for Valdosta stands at 88.271, indicating that salaries may stretch further here compared to national averages, albeit still reflecting local market conditions. Those seeking optimal medical coder pay in Valdosta, GA, should focus on roles within major healthcare institutions or specialty clinics, which often provide better compensation due to the complexity of services. Factors such as additional certifications and shift differentials can also significantly impact pay. For anyone looking to elevate their earnings, pursuing specialized training or engaging in continuous professional development can be advantageous for maximizing salary potential in this local market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical coders make in Valdosta, GA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical coder salary in Valdosta is $38,284/year ($18.41/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $24,876 at entry level (10th percentile) to $56,063 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Valdosta at 8.5% below the national median. Full-time medical coders typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Valdosta, GA a good place to work as a medical coder?

Valdosta medical coder salaries are 8.5% below the national average and 0.2% below the Georgia state average. The metro area employs approximately 70 medical coders. With a cost-of-living index of 88.271, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical coders make $100K in Valdosta?

The median medical coder salary in Valdosta is $38,284, and the 90th percentile earns $56,063. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical coder salary in Valdosta?

After adjusting for Valdosta's cost-of-living index of 88.271 (where 100 equals the national average), the $38,284 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $43,371 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 13.3% further in Valdosta compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for medical coders seeking strong real wages.

How much does a medical coder make per hour in Valdosta?

Medical Coders in Valdosta earn a median hourly rate of $18.41, which translates to approximately $38,284/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $11.96 for entry-level positions to $26.95 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem medical coders sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Georgia

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, CPC, CCSData verified by Maria Gonzales, CPC, CCA

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 $37,416 for medical codersin the Valdosta 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 (P10โ€“P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (โ€“). 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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

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