Medical Coder Salary in Richmond, VA: $42,049 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Richmond, VA earns a median $42,049/year (≈ $20.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $42,969 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Richmond, Virginia, the salary for medical coders presents a competitive opportunity when considering the local cost of living, which is indexed at 97.858, indicating a slightly lower cost than the national average. The projected median annual salary for 2026 is $42,049, slightly above the national median of $41,861. Those entering this field can expect earnings within a range from $31,449 at the tenth percentile to $62,292 at the ninetieth percentile, showcasing a significant variation based on experience, employer, and specialization. These insights are gathered from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, reflecting the economic landscape for medical coder salaries in Richmond, VA.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,449 | $15.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,276 | $18.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,049 | $20.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,651 | $24.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,292 | $29.95 |
Median Salary Position
0.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,843 (2026 est.). At $42,049, the local median is 0.45% above the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Medical Coder Pay Compares
Richmond median: $42,049/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $39,079 | +7.60% more |
| National Average | $41,861 | +0.45% more |
Medical Coders in Richmond, VA earn a median of $42,049 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.45% higher than the national median of $41,861 and 7.60% above the Virginia state average of $39,079.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $42,049 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,969 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$46,910
2025 BLS Actual
$41,096
2026 Current Est.
$42,049
2021–2027 Growth
+-8.3%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Richmond (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,096 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,049 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,025 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -12.4% from $46,910 (2021) to $41,096 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,025 by 2027 — a total increase of $-3,885 (-8.28%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $31,449 – $38,276 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,276 – $42,049 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,049 – $51,651 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,651 – $62,292 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Richmond
With around 740 medical coders currently employed in Richmond, the job market remains stable as demand for healthcare services continues to grow. The cost of living underscores the effective purchasing power for these professionals, making the salary figures quite favorable when compared to other regions. Typically, larger healthcare organizations may offer higher compensation compared to private practices and community health centers, particularly for coders with specialized credentials or those working shifts that require additional flexibility. The disparity in salaries is often influenced by these factors, as well as the benefits structure provided by employers. For those looking to maximize their medical coder pay in Richmond, seeking out opportunities with larger health systems or additional industry certifications could prove advantageous in elevating their earnings potential.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can medical coders make $100K in Richmond?
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Related Pages
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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 $41,096 for medical codersin the Richmond 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