Medical Coder Pay

San Antonio vs El Paso: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between San Antonio, TX and El Paso, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Antonio, TX
$37,744
$18.15/hr
El Paso, TX
$39,176
$18.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Antonio, TXEl Paso, TX
Median Salary$37,744$39,176
Hourly Rate$18.15$18.84
Entry Level (P10)$28,109$21,987
25th Percentile$31,842$29,051
75th Percentile$48,942$52,429
Top Earner (P90)$59,149$54,344
Total Employed1,670560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Antonio ($37,744) and El Paso ($39,176) medical coder salaries.San AntonioEl PasoMedian Salary$37,744$39,176Entry Level (P10)$28,109$21,987Top Earner (P90)$59,149$54,344US Median $41,861

Verdict

San Antonio and El Paso are closely matched on overall medical coder compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between San Antonio and El Paso is $1,432 (3.79%). El Paso's median is -6.41% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Antonio spans $31,040,El Paso spans $32,357. El Paso has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$28,109
P25$31,842
Median$37,744
P75$48,942
P90 (Top)$59,149
El Paso
P10 (Entry)$21,987
P25$29,051
Median$39,176
P75$52,429
P90 (Top)$54,344

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, El Paso ($43,571 effective) pays 9.34% more than San Antonio ($39,850 effective).

San Antonio
Nominal: $37,744
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $39,850
El Paso
Nominal: $39,176
CoL Index: 89.912
Adjusted: $43,571

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($59,149)
  • Larger job market (1,670 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose El Paso if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,176/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,571)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in San Antonio grew -8.4% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 1.7% growth in El Paso over the same period.

San Antonio, TX

+-8.4%

$40,250 (2021) → $36,888 (2025)

El Paso, TX

+1.7%

$37,660 (2021) → $38,288 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: San Antonio or El Paso?

El Paso has a higher median medical coder salary at $39,176/year, compared to San Antonio at $37,744/year — a difference of $1,432 (3.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Antonio and El Paso?

San Antonio medical coders earn $18.15/hr while El Paso hygienists earn $18.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Antonio to El Paso as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Antonio and El Paso. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Antonio = $39,850, El Paso = $43,571), job availability (1,670 vs 560 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in San Antonio vs El Paso?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $28,109 in San Antonio and $21,987 in El Paso. The San Antonio 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