Medical Coder Pay

Kailua vs Urban Honolulu: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Kailua, HI and Urban Honolulu, HI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kailua, HI
$39,605
$19.04/hr
Urban Honolulu, HI
$53,386
$25.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKailua, HIUrban Honolulu, HI
Median Salary$39,605$53,386
Hourly Rate$19.04$25.67
Entry Level (P10)$29,449$37,580
25th Percentile$33,860$43,613
75th Percentile$49,794$65,493
Top Earner (P90)$61,112$75,021
Total Employed6310
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kailua ($39,605) and Urban Honolulu ($53,386) medical coder salaries.KailuaUrban HonoluluMedian Salary$39,605$53,386Entry Level (P10)$29,449$37,580Top Earner (P90)$61,112$75,021US Median $41,861

Verdict

Urban Honolulu, HI offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kailua.

The salary gap between Kailua and Urban Honolulu is $13,781 (34.80%). Urban Honolulu's median is +27.53% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kailua spans $31,663,Urban Honolulu spans $37,441. Urban Honolulu has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

Kailua
P10 (Entry)$29,449
P25$33,860
Median$39,605
P75$49,794
P90 (Top)$61,112
Urban Honolulu
P10 (Entry)$37,580
P25$43,613
Median$53,386
P75$65,493
P90 (Top)$75,021

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Urban Honolulu ($48,112 effective) pays 44.93% more than Kailua ($33,198 effective).

Kailua
Nominal: $39,605
CoL Index: 119.3
Adjusted: $33,198
Urban Honolulu
Nominal: $53,386
CoL Index: 110.961
Adjusted: $48,112

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kailua if…

  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Choose Urban Honolulu if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,386/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,021)
  • Larger job market (310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,112)
  • You prefer the Hawaii area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Kailua grew -40.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.9% growth in Urban Honolulu over the same period.

Kailua, HI

+-40.5%

$65,044 (2024) → $38,707 (2025)

Urban Honolulu, HI

+7.9%

$48,350 (2021) → $52,176 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Kailua or Urban Honolulu?

Urban Honolulu has a higher median medical coder salary at $53,386/year, compared to Kailua at $39,605/year — a difference of $13,781 (34.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kailua and Urban Honolulu?

Kailua medical coders earn $19.04/hr while Urban Honolulu hygienists earn $25.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kailua to Urban Honolulu as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kailua and Urban Honolulu. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kailua = $33,198, Urban Honolulu = $48,112), job availability (6 vs 310 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Kailua vs Urban Honolulu?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $29,449 in Kailua and $37,580 in Urban Honolulu. The Urban Honolulu area offers higher starting salaries.
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