Medical Coder jobs in Washington, DC
The median medical coder pay in the Washington area is $27.75 per hour ($57,730 a year), with the typical range running from $23.55 to $35.36. That ranks 34th of 369 U.S. metro areas for medical coder pay, and 114th of 328 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 10 hospitals in Washington. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Washington.
- $27.75median pay per hour, Washington
- $24–$35typical range per hour
- 2,370medical coders employed in the metro area
- 109cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Medical Coder pay in Washington, DC
The metro median is 11% below the District of Columbia statewide median of $31.10 per hour. Nationally the median is $24.16 per hour. BLS counts about 2,370 medical records specialists employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area, 0.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.62).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $21.00 | $43,680 | 13% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $23.55 | $48,980 | 3% below U.S. median |
| Median | $27.75 | $57,730 | 15% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $35.36 | $73,550 | 46% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $43.07 | $89,590 | 78% above U.S. median |
How Washington ranks
- 34th of 369 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 114th of 328 after adjusting for local prices
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Medical Records Specialists (SOC 29-2072), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Washington
- Overall prices in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria run 9% above the U.S. average (index 108.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 51% above the U.S. average (index 151.1).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $27.75 median hour buys what $25.49 buys at the national price level, 5% above the national median.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.
Get the Washington Medical Coder pay report
Named employers near Washington, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Washington paycheck
- Per year: $49,950
- Per month: $4,162
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Hospitals in Washington
CMS lists 10 hospitals in Washington.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sibley Memorial Hospital Washington, DC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Medstar Georgetown University Hospital Washington, DC | Acute care | For-profit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Medstar Washington Hospital Center Washington, DC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| United Medical Center Washington, DC | Acute care | For-profit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Washington Dc Va Medical Center Washington, DC | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| George Washington Univ Hospital Washington, DC | Acute care | For-profit | 2 of 5 | Yes |
| Howard University Hospital Corp Washington, DC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 1 of 5 | No |
| Children's National Hospital Washington, DC | Children's | Nonprofit | Not rated | Yes |
| Psychiatric Institute Of Washington Washington, DC | Psychiatric | Nonprofit | Not rated | No |
| St Elizabeths Hospital Washington, DC | Psychiatric | Government and federal | Not rated | No |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Medical Coder pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, VA | 7 mi | $27.75/hr | 159,102 |
| Rockville, MD | 14 mi | $27.75/hr | 68,417 |
| Baltimore, MD | 35 mi | $30.07/hr | 568,271 |
| Lancaster, PA | 87 mi | $22.33/hr | 58,441 |
| Harrisburg, PA | 95 mi | $23.44/hr | 50,649 |
| Wilmington, DE | 98 mi | $23.04/hr | 73,176 |
Medical Coder jobs in District of Columbia · Medical Coder jobs nationwide
What employers ask for, and tax basics in District of Columbia
Medical coders translate diagnoses and procedures into billing and reporting codes.
- CPC, CCS or equivalent coding credential
- Knowledge of ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS
- Experience with encoder and EHR systems
District of Columbia taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Washington
Washington city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do medical coders make in Washington, DC?
Medical Coders in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area have a median pay of $27.75 per hour, about $57,730 a year. The middle half earn between $23.55 and $35.36 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Washington a good place for medical coders once cost of living is counted?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria ranks 114th of 328 metro areas for medical coder pay after adjusting for local prices, and 34th of 369 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% above the U.S. average.
Where do medical coders work in Washington?
CMS lists 10 hospitals in Washington, led by Sibley Memorial Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a District of Columbia license to work in Washington as a medical coder?
CPC, CCS or equivalent coding credential. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what District of Columbia requires for your role with the District of Columbia licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Does Valorem Health place medical coders in Washington?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Washington and across District of Columbia. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Washington.
What do employers near Washington pay medical coders? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
20+ Medical Coder roles in District of Columbia, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your Coder pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your District of Columbia list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- CommonSpirit HealthCentennial, CO · 3 postings$34.69/ hr$26–$44
- Banner HealthArizona, AZ · 3 postings$31.92/ hr$26–$44
- Avera HealthSioux Falls, SD · 3 postings$31.75/ hr$24–$46
- Sarah Bush Lincoln Health SystemIllinois · 4 postings$28.97/ hr$23–$37
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your District of Columbia list
2What they are offering now
53 Coder postings with published pay in the US, 44 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Coder roles
Open Coder roles near Washington, DC, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.