Medical Coder Pay

Baytown vs Dallas: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Baytown, TX and Dallas, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baytown, TX
$36,731
$17.66/hr
Dallas, TX
$42,680
$20.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaytown, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$36,731$42,680
Hourly Rate$17.66$20.53
Entry Level (P10)$25,534$31,064
25th Percentile$30,180$37,416
75th Percentile$46,128$54,614
Top Earner (P90)$56,933$65,640
Total Employed165,210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baytown ($36,731) and Dallas ($42,680) medical coder salaries.BaytownDallasMedian Salary$36,731$42,680Entry Level (P10)$25,534$31,064Top Earner (P90)$56,933$65,640US Median $41,861

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Baytown.

The salary gap between Baytown and Dallas is $5,949 (16.20%). Dallas's median is +1.96% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baytown spans $31,399,Dallas spans $34,576. Dallas has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

Baytown
P10 (Entry)$25,534
P25$30,180
Median$36,731
P75$46,128
P90 (Top)$56,933
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$31,064
P25$37,416
Median$42,680
P75$54,614
P90 (Top)$65,640

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($41,401 effective) pays 8.20% more than Baytown ($38,261 effective).

Baytown
Nominal: $36,731
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $38,261
Dallas
Nominal: $42,680
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $41,401

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baytown if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,680/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,640)
  • Larger job market (5,210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $41,401)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Baytown grew -24.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -10.6% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Baytown, TX

+-24.8%

$47,758 (2024) → $35,898 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+-10.6%

$46,660 (2021) → $41,712 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Baytown or Dallas?

Dallas has a higher median medical coder salary at $42,680/year, compared to Baytown at $36,731/year — a difference of $5,949 (16.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baytown and Dallas?

Baytown medical coders earn $17.66/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $20.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baytown to Dallas as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baytown and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baytown = $38,261, Dallas = $41,401), job availability (16 vs 5,210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Baytown vs Dallas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $25,534 in Baytown and $31,064 in Dallas. The Dallas area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, CPC, CCSData verified by Maria Gonzales, CPC, CCA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC, a licensed medical coder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov