Medical Coder Pay

Buena Park vs Los Angeles: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Buena Park, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Buena Park, CA
$48,999
$23.55/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$48,385
$23.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuena Park, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$48,999$48,385
Hourly Rate$23.55$23.27
Entry Level (P10)$35,466$34,142
25th Percentile$41,314$39,209
75th Percentile$61,516$66,000
Top Earner (P90)$75,948$82,912
Total Employed207,240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buena Park ($48,999) and Los Angeles ($48,385) medical coder salaries.Buena ParkLos AngelesMedian Salary$48,999$48,385Entry Level (P10)$35,466$34,142Top Earner (P90)$75,948$82,912US Median $41,861

Verdict

Buena Park and Los Angeles are closely matched on overall medical coder compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Buena Park and Los Angeles is $614 (1.27%). Buena Park's median is +17.05% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Buena Park spans $40,482,Los Angeles spans $48,770. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

Buena Park
P10 (Entry)$35,466
P25$41,314
Median$48,999
P75$61,516
P90 (Top)$75,948
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$34,142
P25$39,209
Median$48,385
P75$66,000
P90 (Top)$82,912

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Buena Park ($43,324 effective) pays 1.69% more than Los Angeles ($42,605 effective).

Buena Park
Nominal: $48,999
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $43,324
Los Angeles
Nominal: $48,385
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $42,605

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Buena Park if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,999/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,324)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($82,912)
  • Larger job market (7,240 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Buena Park grew -36.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -3.1% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Buena Park, CA

+-36.7%

$75,593 (2024) → $47,888 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+-3.1%

$48,810 (2021) → $47,288 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Buena Park or Los Angeles?

Buena Park has a higher median medical coder salary at $48,999/year, compared to Los Angeles at $48,385/year — a difference of $614 (1.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buena Park and Los Angeles?

Buena Park medical coders earn $23.55/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $23.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Buena Park to Los Angeles as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buena Park and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buena Park = $43,324, Los Angeles = $42,605), job availability (20 vs 7,240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Buena Park vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $35,466 in Buena Park and $34,142 in Los Angeles. The Buena Park 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