Medical Coder Salary in Buffalo, NY: $49,302 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Buffalo, NY earns a median $49,302/year (≈ $23.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Buffalo's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $51,440 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.8% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical coder salary in Buffalo, NY, is projected to reach $49,302, which is a notable increase compared to the national median of $41,861. The salary range for medical coders in this area spans from $32,480 at the 10th percentile to $68,473 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse job market. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS data, showcasing the potential earning opportunities available to medical coders working in Buffalo. The compensation level in this city is approximately 17.78% higher than the national average, indicating a competitive market for skilled professionals in the healthcare coding field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,480 | $15.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,882 | $18.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,302 | $23.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,281 | $28.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,473 | $32.93 |
Median Salary Position
17.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo
In Buffalo, NY, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,993 (2026 est.). At $49,302, the local median is 17.78% above the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Medical Coder Pay Compares
Buffalo median: $49,302/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $42,211 | +16.80% more |
| National Average | $41,861 | +17.78% more |
Medical Coders in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $49,302 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.78% higher than the national median of $41,861 and 16.80% above the New York state average of $42,211.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo has a cost of living 4.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.844 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $49,302 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,440 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.34% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$47,270
2025 BLS Actual
$48,184
2026 Current Est.
$49,302
2021–2027 Growth
+6.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Buffalo (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,184 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,302 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,446 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 1.9% from $47,270 (2021) to $48,184 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,446 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,176 (6.72%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo 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) | $32,480 – $38,882 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,882 – $49,302 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,302 – $58,281 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,281 – $68,473 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Buffalo
Looking at the local job market, there are currently 830 medical coders employed in Buffalo, highlighting a steady demand for this occupation. The cost of living index in Buffalo, which sits at 95.844, is below the national average, meaning that the local salary can stretch further in terms of purchasing power. Employers that typically pay the highest salaries include large healthcare organizations and specialty clinics, which often offer additional benefits that can enhance overall compensation. The disparity in pay can often be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, specific coding certifications, and the overall size of the employing organization. To maximize medical coder pay in Buffalo, it's advisable to gain certifications relevant to specialty areas and continually seek out opportunities for professional development that can further elevate skills and marketability.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
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 $48,184 for medical codersin the Buffalo 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, 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