How much does a Coder III make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Coder III in the United States is $63,267 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, a Coder III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,946
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,390 to $70,427
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $48,218

Key Factors That Influence Coder III Salaries

A Coder III's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Coder III Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Coder IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $70,049.
  • California: $69,783.
  • Massachusetts: $68,853.

Top Paying Cities for Coder IIIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $79,798
  • San Francisco: $78,925
  • Oakland: $77,261

What Skills Can Increase a Coder III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Initiative (Mentioned in 2.39% Job Postings): Taking decisive action and initiating plans independently to address problems, improve professional life, and achieve goals.
  • Physiology (Mentioned in 4.41% Job Postings): It is the branch of biology that aims to understand the mechanisms of living things, from the basis of cell function at the ionic and molecular level to the integrated behaviour of the whole body and the influence of the external environment.
  • Medical Billing (Mentioned in 1.85% Job Postings): Medical billing is a payment practice within the United States health system. The process involves a healthcare provider submitting, following up on, and appealing claims with health insurance companies in order to receive payment for services rendered; such as testing, treatments, and procedures. The same process is used for most insurance companies, whether they are private companies or government sponsored programs: Medical coding reports what the diagnosis and treatment were, and prices are applied accordingly. Medical billers are encouraged, but not required by law, to become certified by taking an exam such as the CMRS Exam, RHIA Exam, CPB Exam and others. Certification schools are intended to provide a theoretical grounding for students entering the medical billing field. Some community colleges in the United States offer certificates, or even associate degrees, in the field. Those seeking advancement may be cross-trained in medical coding or transcription or auditing, and may earn a bachelor's or graduate degree in medical information science and technology.
Skills Demand Percentage
Initiative 2.39%
Physiology 4.41%
Medical Billing 1.85%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Coder III's salary.

  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Interviewing: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Insight $68,328
8%
Interviewing $67,695
7%
Integrity $67,063
6%

Coder III Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Coder III roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, Coder positions in Insurance or Business Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Coder III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Coder III

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$94,900$46.050%
Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit$69,593$33.010%

How Education impacts a Coder III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Coder IIIs enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Coder III with a Associate's Degree is between $58,012 and $62,271).

Coder III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Coder III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.5%
High School 54.1%
Associates 33.7%
Bachelors 10.8%
Masters 0.9%
Doctorate 0.0%

Coder III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Coder III's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$55,390
Average $63,267/year
$70,427
$4,616
Average $5,272/month
$5,869
$1,065
Average $1,217/week
$1,354
$27
Average $30/hour
$34
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $70,427 $5,869 $1,354 $34
Average $63,267 $5,272 $1,217 $30
25th Percentile $55,390 $4,616 $1,065 $27

Most common benefits for Coder III

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Coder III

Here are companies hiring for Coder III and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Coder III

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Coder III?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Coder III roles, with salaries approximately 50% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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