Medical Coder Pay

Dallas vs The Woodlands: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$42,680
$20.53/hr
The Woodlands, TX
$41,450
$19.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXThe Woodlands, TX
Median Salary$42,680$41,450
Hourly Rate$20.53$19.93
Entry Level (P10)$31,064$30,230
25th Percentile$37,416$35,350
75th Percentile$54,614$53,056
Top Earner (P90)$65,640$64,248
Total Employed5,21021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($42,680) and The Woodlands ($41,450) medical coder salaries.DallasThe WoodlandsMedian Salary$42,680$41,450Entry Level (P10)$31,064$30,230Top Earner (P90)$65,640$64,248US Median $41,861

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and The Woodlands is $1,230 (2.97%). 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 Dallas spans $34,576,The Woodlands spans $34,018. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$31,064
P25$37,416
Median$42,680
P75$54,614
P90 (Top)$65,640
The Woodlands
P10 (Entry)$30,230
P25$35,350
Median$41,450
P75$53,056
P90 (Top)$64,248

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, The Woodlands ($43,177 effective) pays 4.29% more than Dallas ($41,401 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $42,680
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $41,401
The Woodlands
Nominal: $41,450
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $43,177

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

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

Choose The Woodlands if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,177)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Dallas grew -10.6% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -15.4% growth in The Woodlands over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+-10.6%

$46,660 (2021) → $41,712 (2025)

The Woodlands, TX

+-15.4%

$47,900 (2024) → $40,510 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Dallas or The Woodlands?

Dallas has a higher median medical coder salary at $42,680/year, compared to The Woodlands at $41,450/year — a difference of $1,230 (2.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and The Woodlands?

Dallas medical coders earn $20.53/hr while The Woodlands hygienists earn $19.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to The Woodlands as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and The Woodlands. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $41,401, The Woodlands = $43,177), job availability (5,210 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $31,064 in Dallas and $30,230 in The Woodlands. 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