Medical Coder Salary in Decatur, IL: $40,985 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Decatur, IL earns a median $40,985/year (≈ $19.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $46,352 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With 30 medical coders employed in Decatur, Illinois, the job market indicates a moderate saturation level for this occupation. As of 2026, the median annual salary for medical coders in the area is projected to be $40,985. This figure is slightly below the national average of $41,861, giving insight into local compensation trends. The salary range presents variability, with entry-level positions starting around $30,622 and experienced coders earning up to $54,180. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, and it reflects the market dynamics specific to Decatur, particularly as the projected 2.32% growth rate suggests ongoing demand for coding professionals in the healthcare sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,622 | $14.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,772 | $16.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,985 | $19.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,539 | $20.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,180 | $26.05 |
Median Salary Position
2.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, IL, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,558 (2026 est.). At $40,985, the local median is 2.09% below the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Medical Coder Pay Compares
Decatur median: $40,985/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $40,903 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $41,861 | -2.09% less |
Medical Coders in Decatur, IL earn a median of $40,985 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.09% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 0.20% above the Illinois state average of $40,903.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 11.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, IL has a cost-of-living index of 88.422 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $40,985 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,352 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.1% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,547
2025 BLS Actual
$40,056
2026 Current Est.
$40,985
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Decatur (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,547 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,056 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,985 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,936 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 9.6% from $36,547 (2021) to $40,056 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,936 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,389 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $30,622 – $34,772 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,772 – $40,985 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,985 – $43,539 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,539 – $54,180 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Decatur
In Decatur, the combination of a cost-of-living index at 88.422 and a median salary on the lower end of the national scale means that medical coder pay in Decatur, IL, can offer a different purchasing power compared to other regions. Larger healthcare organizations typically provide higher salaries than private practices or community health centers, often factoring in benefits and shift differentials. Achieving the upper end of the pay scale usually requires specialized credentials or experience in high-demand areas like inpatient coding or surgical coding. To maximize earnings, aspiring coders should consider obtaining additional certifications or seeking employment with large healthcare systems that may offer more competitive pay structures and robust benefits. Understanding the local employment climate and adjusting strategies accordingly can significantly influence how much do medical coders make in Decatur.
More salary data for Decatur, IL:
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 $40,056 for medical codersin the Decatur 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, 4-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