Medical Coder Pay

Carson vs Los Angeles: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

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

Carson, CA
$47,420
$22.80/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$48,385
$23.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarson, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$47,420$48,385
Hourly Rate$22.80$23.27
Entry Level (P10)$35,617$34,142
25th Percentile$40,953$39,209
75th Percentile$58,696$66,000
Top Earner (P90)$73,502$82,912
Total Employed217,240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carson ($47,420) and Los Angeles ($48,385) medical coder salaries.CarsonLos AngelesMedian Salary$47,420$48,385Entry Level (P10)$35,617$34,142Top Earner (P90)$73,502$82,912US Median $41,861

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Carson.

The salary gap between Carson and Los Angeles is $965 (2.04%). Los Angeles's median is +15.58% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carson spans $37,885,Los Angeles spans $48,770. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

Carson
P10 (Entry)$35,617
P25$40,953
Median$47,420
P75$58,696
P90 (Top)$73,502
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, Los Angeles ($42,605 effective) pays 1.62% more than Carson ($41,927 effective).

Carson
Nominal: $47,420
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $41,927
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 Carson if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,385/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,912)
  • Larger job market (7,240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,605)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Carson, CA

+-36.7%

$73,158 (2024) → $46,345 (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: Carson or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median medical coder salary at $48,385/year, compared to Carson at $47,420/year — a difference of $965 (2.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carson and Los Angeles?

Carson medical coders earn $22.80/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $23.27/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carson and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carson = $41,927, Los Angeles = $42,605), job availability (21 vs 7,240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $35,617 in Carson and $34,142 in Los Angeles. The Carson 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