Medical Coder Pay

Folsom vs San Diego: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Folsom, CA and San Diego, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Folsom, CA
$61,930
$29.78/hr
San Diego, CA
$50,325
$24.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFolsom, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$61,930$50,325
Hourly Rate$29.78$24.20
Entry Level (P10)$42,971$36,098
25th Percentile$51,017$40,224
75th Percentile$77,905$62,080
Top Earner (P90)$95,992$81,799
Total Employed171,600
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Folsom ($61,930) and San Diego ($50,325) medical coder salaries.FolsomSan DiegoMedian Salary$61,930$50,325Entry Level (P10)$42,971$36,098Top Earner (P90)$95,992$81,799US Median $41,861

Verdict

Folsom, CA offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Diego.

The salary gap between Folsom and San Diego is $11,605 (23.06%). Folsom's median is +47.94% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Folsom spans $53,021,San Diego spans $45,701. Folsom has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Folsom
P10 (Entry)$42,971
P25$51,017
Median$61,930
P75$77,905
P90 (Top)$95,992
San Diego
P10 (Entry)$36,098
P25$40,224
Median$50,325
P75$62,080
P90 (Top)$81,799

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Folsom ($54,757 effective) pays 21.74% more than San Diego ($44,978 effective).

Folsom
Nominal: $61,930
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $54,757
San Diego
Nominal: $50,325
CoL Index: 111.887
Adjusted: $44,978

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Folsom if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,930/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,992)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,757)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Larger job market (1,600 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Folsom grew -18.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.1% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Folsom, CA

+-18.6%

$74,399 (2024) → $60,526 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+2.1%

$48,190 (2021) → $49,184 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Folsom or San Diego?

Folsom has a higher median medical coder salary at $61,930/year, compared to San Diego at $50,325/year — a difference of $11,605 (23.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Folsom and San Diego?

Folsom medical coders earn $29.78/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $24.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Folsom to San Diego as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Folsom and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Folsom = $54,757, San Diego = $44,978), job availability (17 vs 1,600 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Folsom vs San Diego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $42,971 in Folsom and $36,098 in San Diego. The Folsom 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