Medical Coder Pay

Copperas Cove vs Houston: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Copperas Cove, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Copperas Cove, TX
$35,690
$17.16/hr
Houston, TX
$41,951
$20.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCopperas Cove, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$35,690$41,951
Hourly Rate$17.16$20.17
Entry Level (P10)$28,032$31,228
25th Percentile$30,794$37,122
75th Percentile$45,132$53,738
Top Earner (P90)$55,320$65,902
Total Employed73,680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Copperas Cove ($35,690) and Houston ($41,951) medical coder salaries.Copperas CoveHoustonMedian Salary$35,690$41,951Entry Level (P10)$28,032$31,228Top Earner (P90)$55,320$65,902US Median $41,861

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Copperas Cove.

The salary gap between Copperas Cove and Houston is $6,261 (17.54%). Houston's median is +0.21% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Copperas Cove spans $27,288,Houston spans $34,674. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

Copperas Cove
P10 (Entry)$28,032
P25$30,794
Median$35,690
P75$45,132
P90 (Top)$55,320
Houston
P10 (Entry)$31,228
P25$37,122
Median$41,951
P75$53,738
P90 (Top)$65,902

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($42,534 effective) pays 14.41% more than Copperas Cove ($37,177 effective).

Copperas Cove
Nominal: $35,690
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $37,177
Houston
Nominal: $41,951
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $42,534

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Copperas Cove if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,951/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,902)
  • Larger job market (3,680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,534)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Copperas Cove grew -24.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -6.8% growth in Houston over the same period.

Copperas Cove, TX

+-24.8%

$46,405 (2024) → $34,881 (2025)

Houston, TX

+-6.8%

$44,010 (2021) → $41,000 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Copperas Cove or Houston?

Houston has a higher median medical coder salary at $41,951/year, compared to Copperas Cove at $35,690/year — a difference of $6,261 (17.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Copperas Cove and Houston?

Copperas Cove medical coders earn $17.16/hr while Houston hygienists earn $20.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Copperas Cove to Houston as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Copperas Cove and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Copperas Cove = $37,177, Houston = $42,534), job availability (7 vs 3,680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Copperas Cove vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $28,032 in Copperas Cove and $31,228 in Houston. The Houston 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