Medical Coder Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $53,804 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $53,804/year (โ $25.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $55,504 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.3% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data ยท View source

In Milwaukee, the 2026 projected median salary for medical coders is set at $53,804, which significantly exceeds the national median of $41,861. This local compensation reflects a robust job market where salaries range from $38,652 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $65,493 for top earners (90th percentile). Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures highlight Milwaukee's cost-of-living-adjusted purchasing power, which is favorable for medical coders in the region. With competitive pay that exceeds the national average by over 28%, individuals working in healthcare documentation can find promising opportunities in this Midwestern city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,652 | $18.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,549 | $20.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,804 | $25.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,392 | $29.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,493 | $31.48 |
Median Salary Position
28.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,841 (2026 est.). At $53,804, the local median is 28.53% above the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be above the median
How Milwaukee Medical Coder Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $53,804/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $48,341 | +11.30% more |
| National Average | $41,861 | +28.53% more |
Medical Coders in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $53,804 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.53% higher than the national median of $41,861 and 11.30% above the Wisconsin state average of $48,341.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal ร (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $53,804 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,504 in an average-cost city โ an effective 3.16% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$48,350
2025 BLS Actual
$52,584
2026 Current Est.
$53,804
2021โ2027 Growth
+13.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Milwaukee (2021โ2027)
2021โ2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $48,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,584 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,804 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,052 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 8.8% from $48,350 (2021) to $52,584 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,052 by 2027 โ a total increase of $6,702 (13.86%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021โ2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ2026 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) | $38,652 โ $42,549 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,549 โ $53,804 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,804 โ $61,392 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,392 โ $65,493 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Milwaukee
Approximately 750 medical coders are currently employed in the Milwaukee area, contributing to a stable and growing job market with a projected annual growth rate of 2.32%. The local cost of living index stands at 96.937, which suggests that take-home pay here stretches further than in many other parts of the country. Among employers, large healthcare organizations tend to offer the most competitive salaries, while private practices and specialty clinics may have varying pay scales influenced by the scope of services and available resources. Differences in compensation also emerge from factors such as shift differentials and desired specialty credentials. For those looking to maximize their earnings, targeting larger employers and acquiring additional certifications can be effective strategies in Milwaukee's healthcare sector.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can medical coders make $100K in Milwaukee?
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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 $52,584 for medical codersin the Milwaukee 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 (P10โP90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (โ). 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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov