Medical Coder Pay

Springfield vs St. Charles: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

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

Springfield, MO
$38,890
$18.69/hr
St. Charles, MO
$41,312
$19.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpringfield, MOSt. Charles, MO
Median Salary$38,890$41,312
Hourly Rate$18.69$19.86
Entry Level (P10)$31,826$29,802
25th Percentile$38,890$34,757
75th Percentile$50,964$51,853
Top Earner (P90)$63,037$64,033
Total Employed53016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Springfield ($38,890) and St. Charles ($41,312) medical coder salaries.SpringfieldSt. CharlesMedian Salary$38,890$41,312Entry Level (P10)$31,826$29,802Top Earner (P90)$63,037$64,033US Median $41,861

Verdict

St. Charles, MO offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Springfield.

The salary gap between Springfield and St. Charles is $2,422 (6.23%). St. Charles's median is -1.31% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Springfield spans $31,211,St. Charles spans $34,231. St. Charles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

Springfield
P10 (Entry)$31,826
P25$38,890
Median$38,890
P75$50,964
P90 (Top)$63,037
St. Charles
P10 (Entry)$29,802
P25$34,757
Median$41,312
P75$51,853
P90 (Top)$64,033

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Charles ($46,107 effective) pays 5.02% more than Springfield ($43,901 effective).

Springfield
Nominal: $38,890
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $43,901
St. Charles
Nominal: $41,312
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $46,107

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Springfield if…

  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Charles if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,312/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,033)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,107)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Springfield grew 2.9% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -3.1% growth in St. Charles over the same period.

Springfield, MO

+2.9%

$36,930 (2021) → $38,008 (2025)

St. Charles, MO

+-3.1%

$41,677 (2024) → $40,375 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Springfield or St. Charles?

St. Charles has a higher median medical coder salary at $41,312/year, compared to Springfield at $38,890/year — a difference of $2,422 (6.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Springfield and St. Charles?

Springfield medical coders earn $18.69/hr while St. Charles hygienists earn $19.86/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Springfield to St. Charles as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Springfield and St. Charles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Springfield = $43,901, St. Charles = $46,107), job availability (530 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Springfield vs St. Charles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $31,826 in Springfield and $29,802 in St. Charles. The Springfield 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