Medical Coder Pay

Maryland Heights vs St. Louis: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Maryland Heights, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Maryland Heights, MO
$40,125
$19.29/hr
St. Louis, MO
$41,959
$20.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMaryland Heights, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$40,125$41,959
Hourly Rate$19.29$20.17
Entry Level (P10)$29,211$32,456
25th Percentile$33,842$37,719
75th Percentile$49,150$52,273
Top Earner (P90)$62,193$63,848
Total Employed51,410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Maryland Heights ($40,125) and St. Louis ($41,959) medical coder salaries.Maryland HeightsSt. LouisMedian Salary$40,125$41,959Entry Level (P10)$29,211$32,456Top Earner (P90)$62,193$63,848US Median $41,861

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Maryland Heights.

The salary gap between Maryland Heights and St. Louis is $1,834 (4.57%). St. Louis's median is +0.23% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Maryland Heights spans $32,982,St. Louis spans $31,392. Maryland Heights has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Maryland Heights
P10 (Entry)$29,211
P25$33,842
Median$40,125
P75$49,150
P90 (Top)$62,193
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$32,456
P25$37,719
Median$41,959
P75$52,273
P90 (Top)$63,848

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Maryland Heights ($44,782 effective) pays 1.49% more than St. Louis ($44,126 effective).

Maryland Heights
Nominal: $40,125
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $44,782
St. Louis
Nominal: $41,959
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $44,126

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Maryland Heights if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,782)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,959/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,848)
  • Larger job market (1,410 employed)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Maryland Heights grew -3.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -12.2% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Maryland Heights, MO

+-3.1%

$40,480 (2024) → $39,215 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+-12.2%

$46,690 (2021) → $41,008 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Maryland Heights or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median medical coder salary at $41,959/year, compared to Maryland Heights at $40,125/year — a difference of $1,834 (4.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Maryland Heights and St. Louis?

Maryland Heights medical coders earn $19.29/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $20.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Maryland Heights to St. Louis as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Maryland Heights and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Maryland Heights = $44,782, St. Louis = $44,126), job availability (5 vs 1,410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Maryland Heights vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $29,211 in Maryland Heights and $32,456 in St. Louis. The St. Louis 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