Medical Coder Salary in Liberal, KS: $28,393 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Liberal, KS earns a median $28,393/year (≈ $13.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Liberal's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $31,235 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Liberal, Kansas, medical coders are projected to earn a median annual salary of $28,393 in 2026, which reflects a stark contrast compared to the national median of $41,861. The salary range for local coders varies considerably, with the lowest 10% making around $22,671 and the highest 90% earning up to $43,621. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price levels, offering a glimpse into the compensation package for this profession. Given that only four medical coders are currently employed in the area, the market remains relatively small, hinting at specific dynamics in employment opportunities and wage negotiation.
About the Liberal Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,671 | $10.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25,369 | $12.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $28,393 | $13.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34,147 | $16.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43,621 | $20.98 |
Median Salary Position
32.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Liberal
In Liberal, KS, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,950 (2026 est.). At $28,393, the local median is 32.17% below the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Liberal: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Liberal Medical Coder Pay Compares
Liberal median: $28,393/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Liberal Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $30,432 | -6.70% less |
| National Average | $41,861 | -32.17% less |
Medical Coders in Liberal, KS earn a median of $28,393 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.17% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 6.70% below the Kansas state average of $30,432.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Liberal has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Liberal, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $28,393 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $31,235 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$25,318
2025 BLS Actual
$27,749
2026 Current Est.
$28,393
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Liberal (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $25,318 | Actual |
| 2022 | $25,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $26,468 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,999 | Actual |
| 2025 | $27,749 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,393 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29,051 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Liberal metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 9.6% from $25,318 (2021) to $27,749 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $29,051 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,733 (14.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Liberal 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) | $22,671 – $25,369 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $25,369 – $28,393 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $28,393 – $34,147 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $34,147 – $43,621 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Liberal
Examining the local job market further reveals that the cost of living index in Liberal stands at 90.9, suggesting that everyday expenses are lower than the national average. This factor can affect take-home pay and purchasing power for medical coders. In Liberal, larger healthcare organizations typically offer the highest wages, followed by community health centers and specialty clinics. The significant pay disparity among medical coders can often be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, specialized credentials, and the overall size of the employer. For coders looking to increase their compensation, pursuing additional certifications and being open to varied work settings can provide better financial outcomes while navigating the local market.
More salary data for Liberal, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can medical coders make $100K in Liberal?
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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 $27,749 for medical codersin the Liberal 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
Salary data for Liberal is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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