Medical Coder Pay

Medical Coder Salary in Lowell, MA: $47,928 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Lowell, MA earns a median $47,928/year (≈ $23.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Lowell's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $44,173 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Massachusetts state average.

$47,928
Median Annual Salary
$23.04/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$35,508
Entry Level (P10)
$74,288
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Medical Coder Salary in Lowell, MA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Lowell, MA medical coder salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the medical coder salary in Lowell, MA, is projected to reach $47,928, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national median of $41,861. With a salary range from $35,508 at the lower end (P10) to $74,288 at the upper end (P90), these figures represent the estimated compensation landscape based on BLS state-level data and regional price parity adjustments. Notably, there are currently 29 medical coders employed in Lowell, indicating a modest level of market saturation. This environment combines demand for skilled professionals with the realities of local compensation rates, pointing to a potentially stable job market for those entering the medical coding field.

About the Lowell Market

Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$35,508$17.07
Lower Range (P25)$41,147$19.78
Median (P50)(typical)$47,928$23.04
Upper Range (P75)$61,347$29.50
Top Earners (P90)$74,288$35.72

Median Salary Position

$35,508$74,288
City Median: $47,928
National: $41,861
P10–P90 Range

14.49% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lowell

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for medical coders in Lowell. The median salary is $47,928, compared to the national median of $41,861.$32.0K$43.5K$55.0K$66.5K$78.0K$35.5K10th Pctl$41.1K25th Pctl$47.9KMedian$61.3K75th Pctl$74.3K90th PctlUS Median$41.9K

In Lowell, MA, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,780 (2026 est.). At $47,928, the local median is 14.49% above the national median of $41,861.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$922
per week
$3,994
per month
$47,928
per year

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

How Lowell Medical Coder Pay Compares

Lowell median: $47,928/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryLowell Pays
Massachusetts Average$47,784+0.30% more
National Average$41,861+14.49% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing medical coder median salary in Lowell ($47,928) with Massachusetts average ($47,784) and the US national median ($41,861).Lowell$47,928Massachusetts Avg$47,784+0.30%US National$41,861+14.49%

Medical Coders in Lowell, MA earn a median of $47,928 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.49% higher than the national median of $41,861 and 0.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $47,784.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$47,928
Nominal Salary
108.5
CoL Index
$44,173
Adjusted Salary

Lowell has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.

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

The nominal salary is $47,928. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $44,173, a loss of $3,755.$35.6K$40.5K$45.3K$50.2K$55.1K$47,928NominalSalary$44,173CoL Adjusted(CoL: 108.5) -7.83%US Median $41.9K

Lowell, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,928 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,173 — a 7.83% reduction.

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2021 BLS Actual

$42,738

2025 BLS Actual

$46,841

2026 Current Est.

$47,928

2021–2027 Growth

+14.7%

Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Lowell (20212027)

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

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for medical coders in Lowell. Baseline $42,738 in 2025, projected to $49,040 by 2027.$38.2K$46.1K$54.0K$61.9K$69.8K20212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$42.7K$43.2K$44.7K$65.3K$46.8K$47.9K$49.0K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2021$42,738Actual
2022$43,214Actual
2023$44,679Actual
2024$65,280Actual
2025$46,841Actual
2026(current)$47,928Estimated
2027$49,040Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lowell metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 9.6% from $42,738 (2021) to $46,841 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,040 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,302 (14.75%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (20212025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lowell metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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)$35,508$41,147
3-5 years (Mid Career)$41,147$47,928
5+ years (Experienced)$47,928$61,347
10+ years (Top Earner)$61,347$74,288

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

Medical Coder Job Market in Lowell

The current cost of living index in Lowell, at 108.5, highlights a slightly elevated living expense, which can impact take-home purchasing power for medical coders. With 29 professionals employed in this sector, competition might seem limited, yet several employers could drive wages higher, such as large healthcare organizations and specialized clinics, which typically offer more comprehensive benefits and opportunities for advancement. Factors like specialty certifications and shift differentials can further widen the pay gap. Therefore, for those considering how much do medical coders make in Lowell, pursuing additional credentials and seeking positions in larger employers may be wise strategies to enhance earning potential in this evolving market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do medical coders make in Lowell, MA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median medical coder salary in Lowell is $47,928/year ($23.04/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.32% annual growth). Salaries range from $35,508 at entry level (10th percentile) to $74,288 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Lowell at 14.5% above 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 Lowell, MA a good place to work as a medical coder?

Lowell medical coder salaries are 14.5% above the national average and 0.3% above the Massachusetts state average. The metro area employs approximately 29 medical coders. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can medical coders make $100K in Lowell?

The median medical coder salary in Lowell is $47,928, and the 90th percentile earns $74,288. 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 Lowell?

After adjusting for Lowell's cost-of-living index of 108.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $47,928 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $44,173 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Lowell reduce the effective value of your salary by 7.8% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

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

Medical Coders in Lowell earn a median hourly rate of $23.04, which translates to approximately $47,928/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $17.07 for entry-level positions to $35.72 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

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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 $46,841 for medical codersin the Lowell 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 Lowell is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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