Medical Coder Pay

Concord vs Durham: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Concord, NC and Durham, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Concord, NC
$42,521
$20.44/hr
Durham, NC
$46,895
$22.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConcord, NCDurham, NC
Median Salary$42,521$46,895
Hourly Rate$20.44$22.54
Entry Level (P10)$29,737$33,340
25th Percentile$35,167$37,637
75th Percentile$54,427$58,281
Top Earner (P90)$65,907$67,155
Total Employed24620
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Concord ($42,521) and Durham ($46,895) medical coder salaries.ConcordDurhamMedian Salary$42,521$46,895Entry Level (P10)$29,737$33,340Top Earner (P90)$65,907$67,155US Median $41,861

Verdict

Durham, NC offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Concord.

The salary gap between Concord and Durham is $4,374 (10.29%). Durham's median is +12.03% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Concord spans $36,170,Durham spans $33,815. Concord has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Concord
P10 (Entry)$29,737
P25$35,167
Median$42,521
P75$54,427
P90 (Top)$65,907
Durham
P10 (Entry)$33,340
P25$37,637
Median$46,895
P75$58,281
P90 (Top)$67,155

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Durham ($48,062 effective) pays 5.80% more than Concord ($45,428 effective).

Concord
Nominal: $42,521
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $45,428
Durham
Nominal: $46,895
CoL Index: 97.572
Adjusted: $48,062

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Concord if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Durham if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,895/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,155)
  • Larger job market (620 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,062)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Concord grew -6.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -3.0% growth in Durham over the same period.

Concord, NC

+-6.0%

$44,198 (2024) → $41,557 (2025)

Durham, NC

+-3.0%

$47,270 (2021) → $45,832 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Concord or Durham?

Durham has a higher median medical coder salary at $46,895/year, compared to Concord at $42,521/year — a difference of $4,374 (10.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Concord and Durham?

Concord medical coders earn $20.44/hr while Durham hygienists earn $22.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Concord to Durham as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Concord and Durham. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Concord = $45,428, Durham = $48,062), job availability (24 vs 620 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Concord vs Durham?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $29,737 in Concord and $33,340 in Durham. The Durham 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