Power allocation for encoded bits in OFDM systems. OFDM symbol subcarriers may be allocated to a wireless user equipment (UE) device by a base station. A first portion of the allocated subcarriers may include systematic bits and a second portion of the allocated subcarriers may include parity bits according to a coding scheme. Transmit power may be unevenly allocated to the subcarriers allocated to the UE, such that subcarriers including systematic bits are allocated different power than the subcarriers including parity bits. The OFDM symbols including the subcarriers allocated to the UE may be transmitted to the UE by the base station according to the allocated power distribution.