Medical Coder Pay

New Brunswick vs Newark: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between New Brunswick, NJ and Newark, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Brunswick, NJ
$38,727
$18.62/hr
Newark, NJ
$50,161
$24.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Brunswick, NJNewark, NJ
Median Salary$38,727$50,161
Hourly Rate$18.62$24.12
Entry Level (P10)$27,476$32,940
25th Percentile$32,237$42,953
75th Percentile$49,111$64,207
Top Earner (P90)$60,027$77,750
Total Employed861
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Brunswick ($38,727) and Newark ($50,161) medical coder salaries.New BrunswickNewarkMedian Salary$38,727$50,161Entry Level (P10)$27,476$32,940Top Earner (P90)$60,027$77,750US Median $41,861

Verdict

Newark, NJ offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to New Brunswick.

The salary gap between New Brunswick and Newark is $11,434 (29.52%). Newark's median is +19.83% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Brunswick spans $32,551,Newark spans $44,810. Newark has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

New Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$27,476
P25$32,237
Median$38,727
P75$49,111
P90 (Top)$60,027
Newark
P10 (Entry)$32,940
P25$42,953
Median$50,161
P75$64,207
P90 (Top)$77,750

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Newark ($43,543 effective) pays 29.52% more than New Brunswick ($33,617 effective).

New Brunswick
Nominal: $38,727
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $33,617
Newark
Nominal: $50,161
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $43,543

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Brunswick if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Newark if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,161/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($77,750)
  • Larger job market (61 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,543)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in New Brunswick grew -45.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -32.6% growth in Newark over the same period.

New Brunswick, NJ

+-45.4%

$69,384 (2024) → $37,849 (2025)

Newark, NJ

+-32.6%

$72,683 (2024) → $49,024 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: New Brunswick or Newark?

Newark has a higher median medical coder salary at $50,161/year, compared to New Brunswick at $38,727/year — a difference of $11,434 (29.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Brunswick and Newark?

New Brunswick medical coders earn $18.62/hr while Newark hygienists earn $24.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Brunswick to Newark as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Brunswick and Newark. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Brunswick = $33,617, Newark = $43,543), job availability (8 vs 61 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in New Brunswick vs Newark?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $27,476 in New Brunswick and $32,940 in Newark. The Newark 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