Medical Coder Pay

Kansas City vs Kirkwood: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Kansas City, MO and Kirkwood, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kansas City, MO
$41,157
$19.79/hr
Kirkwood, MO
$40,518
$19.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKansas City, MOKirkwood, MO
Median Salary$41,157$40,518
Hourly Rate$19.79$19.48
Entry Level (P10)$32,480$30,203
25th Percentile$38,603$34,664
75th Percentile$51,225$50,949
Top Earner (P90)$64,895$62,683
Total Employed1,1405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kansas City ($41,157) and Kirkwood ($40,518) medical coder salaries.Kansas CityKirkwoodMedian Salary$41,157$40,518Entry Level (P10)$32,480$30,203Top Earner (P90)$64,895$62,683US Median $41,861

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kirkwood.

The salary gap between Kansas City and Kirkwood is $639 (1.58%). Kansas City's median is -1.68% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kansas City spans $32,415,Kirkwood spans $32,480. Kirkwood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$32,480
P25$38,603
Median$41,157
P75$51,225
P90 (Top)$64,895
Kirkwood
P10 (Entry)$30,203
P25$34,664
Median$40,518
P75$50,949
P90 (Top)$62,683

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kirkwood ($45,221 effective) pays 1.68% more than Kansas City ($44,473 effective).

Kansas City
Nominal: $41,157
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $44,473
Kirkwood
Nominal: $40,518
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $45,221

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,157/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,895)
  • Larger job market (1,140 employed)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Kirkwood if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,221)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Kansas City grew -14.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -3.1% growth in Kirkwood over the same period.

Kansas City, MO

+-14.3%

$46,910 (2021) → $40,224 (2025)

Kirkwood, MO

+-3.1%

$40,877 (2024) → $39,599 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Kansas City or Kirkwood?

Kansas City has a higher median medical coder salary at $41,157/year, compared to Kirkwood at $40,518/year — a difference of $639 (1.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kansas City and Kirkwood?

Kansas City medical coders earn $19.79/hr while Kirkwood hygienists earn $19.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kansas City to Kirkwood as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kansas City and Kirkwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kansas City = $44,473, Kirkwood = $45,221), job availability (1,140 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Kansas City vs Kirkwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $32,480 in Kansas City and $30,203 in Kirkwood. The Kansas City 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