Medical Coder Pay

Los Angeles vs Vacaville: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Vacaville, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$48,385
$23.27/hr
Vacaville, CA
$48,285
$23.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAVacaville, CA
Median Salary$48,385$48,285
Hourly Rate$23.27$23.22
Entry Level (P10)$34,142$35,410
25th Percentile$39,209$41,179
75th Percentile$66,000$61,804
Top Earner (P90)$82,912$74,842
Total Employed7,24015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($48,385) and Vacaville ($48,285) medical coder salaries.Los AngelesVacavilleMedian Salary$48,385$48,285Entry Level (P10)$34,142$35,410Top Earner (P90)$82,912$74,842US Median $41,861

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Vacaville.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Vacaville is $100 (0.21%). Los Angeles's median is +15.58% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $48,770,Vacaville spans $39,432. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$34,142
P25$39,209
Median$48,385
P75$66,000
P90 (Top)$82,912
Vacaville
P10 (Entry)$35,410
P25$41,179
Median$48,285
P75$61,804
P90 (Top)$74,842

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vacaville ($42,692 effective) pays 0.20% more than Los Angeles ($42,605 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $48,385
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $42,605
Vacaville
Nominal: $48,285
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $42,692

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,385/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,912)
  • Larger job market (7,240 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Vacaville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,692)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Los Angeles grew -3.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -36.7% growth in Vacaville over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+-3.1%

$48,810 (2021) → $47,288 (2025)

Vacaville, CA

+-36.7%

$74,491 (2024) → $47,190 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Los Angeles or Vacaville?

Los Angeles has a higher median medical coder salary at $48,385/year, compared to Vacaville at $48,285/year — a difference of $100 (0.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Vacaville?

Los Angeles medical coders earn $23.27/hr while Vacaville hygienists earn $23.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Vacaville as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Vacaville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $42,605, Vacaville = $42,692), job availability (7,240 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Los Angeles vs Vacaville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $34,142 in Los Angeles and $35,410 in Vacaville. The Vacaville 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