Medical Coder Pay

Olympia vs Spokane: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Olympia, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Olympia, WA
$42,221
$20.30/hr
Spokane, WA
$46,453
$22.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOlympia, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$42,221$46,453
Hourly Rate$20.30$22.34
Entry Level (P10)$28,363$33,143
25th Percentile$37,040$38,792
75th Percentile$50,636$57,487
Top Earner (P90)$65,968$67,163
Total Employed170420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Olympia ($42,221) and Spokane ($46,453) medical coder salaries.OlympiaSpokaneMedian Salary$42,221$46,453Entry Level (P10)$28,363$33,143Top Earner (P90)$65,968$67,163US Median $41,861

Verdict

Spokane, WA offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Olympia.

The salary gap between Olympia and Spokane is $4,232 (10.02%). Spokane's median is +10.97% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Olympia spans $37,605,Spokane spans $34,020. Olympia has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Olympia
P10 (Entry)$28,363
P25$37,040
Median$42,221
P75$50,636
P90 (Top)$65,968
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$33,143
P25$38,792
Median$46,453
P75$57,487
P90 (Top)$67,163

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($46,293 effective) pays 13.67% more than Olympia ($40,726 effective).

Olympia
Nominal: $42,221
CoL Index: 103.67
Adjusted: $40,726
Spokane
Nominal: $46,453
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $46,293

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Olympia if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,453/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,163)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,293)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Olympia grew -12.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -1.8% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Olympia, WA

+-12.0%

$46,910 (2021) → $41,264 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+-1.8%

$46,230 (2021) → $45,400 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Olympia or Spokane?

Spokane has a higher median medical coder salary at $46,453/year, compared to Olympia at $42,221/year — a difference of $4,232 (10.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Olympia and Spokane?

Olympia medical coders earn $20.30/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $22.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Olympia to Spokane as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Olympia and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Olympia = $40,726, Spokane = $46,293), job availability (170 vs 420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Olympia vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $28,363 in Olympia and $33,143 in Spokane. The Spokane 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