Medical Coder Pay

Louisville/Jefferson County vs Nicholasville: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Louisville/Jefferson County, KY and Nicholasville, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$43,760
$21.04/hr
Nicholasville, KY
$36,814
$17.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville/Jefferson County, KYNicholasville, KY
Median Salary$43,760$36,814
Hourly Rate$21.04$17.70
Entry Level (P10)$31,637$26,971
25th Percentile$34,461$31,183
75th Percentile$60,549$45,216
Top Earner (P90)$60,999$55,050
Total Employed1,6106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville/Jefferson County ($43,760) and Nicholasville ($36,814) medical coder salaries.Louisville/Jefferson CountyNicholasvilleMedian Salary$43,760$36,814Entry Level (P10)$31,637$26,971Top Earner (P90)$60,999$55,050US Median $41,861

Verdict

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Nicholasville.

The salary gap between Louisville/Jefferson County and Nicholasville is $6,946 (18.87%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is +4.54% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville/Jefferson County spans $29,362,Nicholasville spans $28,079. Louisville/Jefferson County has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Louisville/Jefferson County
P10 (Entry)$31,637
P25$34,461
Median$43,760
P75$60,549
P90 (Top)$60,999
Nicholasville
P10 (Entry)$26,971
P25$31,183
Median$36,814
P75$45,216
P90 (Top)$55,050

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($47,016 effective) pays 14.05% more than Nicholasville ($41,225 effective).

Louisville/Jefferson County
Nominal: $43,760
CoL Index: 93.074
Adjusted: $47,016
Nicholasville
Nominal: $36,814
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $41,225

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,760/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,999)
  • Larger job market (1,610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,016)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Nicholasville if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County grew -9.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -7.0% growth in Nicholasville over the same period.

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

+-9.0%

$47,000 (2021) → $42,768 (2025)

Nicholasville, KY

+-7.0%

$38,697 (2024) → $35,979 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Louisville/Jefferson County or Nicholasville?

Louisville/Jefferson County has a higher median medical coder salary at $43,760/year, compared to Nicholasville at $36,814/year — a difference of $6,946 (18.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville/Jefferson County and Nicholasville?

Louisville/Jefferson County medical coders earn $21.04/hr while Nicholasville hygienists earn $17.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Louisville/Jefferson County to Nicholasville as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville/Jefferson County and Nicholasville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville/Jefferson County = $47,016, Nicholasville = $41,225), job availability (1,610 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Louisville/Jefferson County vs Nicholasville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $31,637 in Louisville/Jefferson County and $26,971 in Nicholasville. The Louisville/Jefferson County 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