Medical Coder jobs in Columbia, SC
Pay for medical coders in the Columbia area centers on $31.71 per hour, or about $65,960 a year. The lower quarter earns under $29.39 and the upper quarter over $32.00. That ranks 7th of 369 U.S. metro areas for medical coder pay, and 3rd of 328 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 6 hospitals in Columbia. The free report below lists employers near Columbia and what they pay.
- $31.71median pay per hour, Columbia
- $29–$32typical range per hour
- 1,100medical coders employed in the metro area
- 94cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Medical Coder pay in Columbia, SC
The metro median is 13% above the South Carolina statewide median of $28.13 per hour. Nationally the median is $24.16 per hour. BLS counts about 1,100 medical records specialists employed in the Columbia metro area, 2.9 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 2.35).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $19.94 | $41,480 | 17% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $29.39 | $61,130 | 22% above U.S. median |
| Median | $31.71 | $65,960 | 31% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $32.00 | $66,560 | 32% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $32.00 | $66,560 | 32% above U.S. median |
How Columbia ranks
- 7th of 369 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 3rd of 328 after adjusting for local prices
- 1st of 8 South Carolina metro areas
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 Columbia
- Overall prices in Columbia run 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.7, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 21% below the U.S. average (index 79.5).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $31.71 median hour buys what $33.86 buys at the national price level, 40% 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 Columbia Medical Coder pay report
Named employers near Columbia, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Columbia paycheck
- Per year: $57,078
- Per month: $4,756
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Columbia metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Hospitals in Columbia
CMS lists 6 hospitals in Columbia.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Sc Va Medical Center Columbia, SC | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Prisma Health Baptist Columbia, SC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Columbia, SC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Musc Health Columbia Medical Center Downtown Columbia, SC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Prisma Health Richland Hospital Columbia, SC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| G Werber Bryan Psych Hosp Columbia, SC | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rock Hill, SC | 62 mi | $23.27/hr | 75,798 |
| Charlotte, NC | 81 mi | $23.27/hr | 943,476 |
| Augusta, GA | 82 mi | $23.17/hr | 201,737 |
| Summerville, SC | 83 mi | $25.43/hr | 52,625 |
| Gastonia, NC | 85 mi | $23.27/hr | 85,535 |
| Goose Creek, SC | 89 mi | $25.43/hr | 50,352 |
Medical Coder jobs in South Carolina · Medical Coder jobs nationwide
What employers ask for, and tax basics in South Carolina
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
South Carolina taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Columbia
Columbia city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do medical coders make in Columbia, SC?
Medical Coders in the Columbia metro area have a median pay of $31.71 per hour, about $65,960 a year. The middle half earn between $29.39 and $32.00 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Columbia a good place for medical coders once cost of living is counted?
Columbia ranks 3rd of 328 metro areas for medical coder pay after adjusting for local prices, and 7th of 369 before adjusting. Overall prices run 6% below the U.S. average.
Where do medical coders work in Columbia?
CMS lists 6 hospitals in Columbia, led by Columbia Sc Va Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a South Carolina license to work in Columbia as a medical coder?
CPC, CCS or equivalent coding credential. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what South Carolina requires for your role with the South Carolina 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 Columbia?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Columbia and across South Carolina. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Columbia.
What do employers near Columbia 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
35+ Medical Coder roles in South Carolina, 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 South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 Columbia, SC, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.