Medical Coder Pay

San Francisco vs Union City: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between San Francisco, CA and Union City, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Francisco, CA
$60,901
$29.28/hr
Union City, CA
$48,494
$23.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAUnion City, CA
Median Salary$60,901$48,494
Hourly Rate$29.28$23.32
Entry Level (P10)$40,535$34,281
25th Percentile$47,370$42,122
75th Percentile$71,035$60,266
Top Earner (P90)$87,971$74,595
Total Employed1,88011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($60,901) and Union City ($48,494) medical coder salaries.San FranciscoUnion CityMedian Salary$60,901$48,494Entry Level (P10)$40,535$34,281Top Earner (P90)$87,971$74,595US Median $41,861

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Union City.

The salary gap between San Francisco and Union City is $12,407 (25.58%). San Francisco's median is +45.48% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $47,436,Union City spans $40,314. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$40,535
P25$47,370
Median$60,901
P75$71,035
P90 (Top)$87,971
Union City
P10 (Entry)$34,281
P25$42,122
Median$48,494
P75$60,266
P90 (Top)$74,595

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($52,677 effective) pays 22.85% more than Union City ($42,877 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $60,901
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $52,677
Union City
Nominal: $48,494
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $42,877

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,901/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($87,971)
  • Larger job market (1,880 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,677)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Union City if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in San Francisco grew -3.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -36.7% growth in Union City over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+-3.2%

$61,470 (2021) → $59,520 (2025)

Union City, CA

+-36.7%

$74,813 (2024) → $47,394 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: San Francisco or Union City?

San Francisco has a higher median medical coder salary at $60,901/year, compared to Union City at $48,494/year — a difference of $12,407 (25.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Union City?

San Francisco medical coders earn $29.28/hr while Union City hygienists earn $23.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Union City as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Union City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $52,677, Union City = $42,877), job availability (1,880 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in San Francisco vs Union City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $40,535 in San Francisco and $34,281 in Union City. The San Francisco 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