Medical Coder Pay

Inglewood vs San Diego: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

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

Inglewood, CA
$49,371
$23.74/hr
San Diego, CA
$50,325
$24.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricInglewood, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$49,371$50,325
Hourly Rate$23.74$24.20
Entry Level (P10)$34,056$36,098
25th Percentile$40,477$40,224
75th Percentile$61,844$62,080
Top Earner (P90)$76,526$81,799
Total Employed211,600
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Inglewood ($49,371) and San Diego ($50,325) medical coder salaries.InglewoodSan DiegoMedian Salary$49,371$50,325Entry Level (P10)$34,056$36,098Top Earner (P90)$76,526$81,799US Median $41,861

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Inglewood and San Diego is $954 (1.93%). San Diego's median is +20.22% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Inglewood spans $42,470,San Diego spans $45,701. San Diego has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

Inglewood
P10 (Entry)$34,056
P25$40,477
Median$49,371
P75$61,844
P90 (Top)$76,526
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, San Diego ($44,978 effective) pays 3.04% more than Inglewood ($43,653 effective).

Inglewood
Nominal: $49,371
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $43,653
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 Inglewood if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,325/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,799)
  • Larger job market (1,600 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,978)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Inglewood grew -36.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.1% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Inglewood, CA

+-36.6%

$76,167 (2024) → $48,252 (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: Inglewood or San Diego?

San Diego has a higher median medical coder salary at $50,325/year, compared to Inglewood at $49,371/year — a difference of $954 (1.93%).

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

Inglewood medical coders earn $23.74/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $24.20/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Inglewood and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Inglewood = $43,653, San Diego = $44,978), job availability (21 vs 1,600 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $34,056 in Inglewood and $36,098 in San Diego. The San Diego 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