Medical Coder Pay

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

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

Springfield, MO
$38,890
$18.69/hr
St. Louis, MO
$41,959
$20.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpringfield, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$38,890$41,959
Hourly Rate$18.69$20.17
Entry Level (P10)$31,826$32,456
25th Percentile$38,890$37,719
75th Percentile$50,964$52,273
Top Earner (P90)$63,037$63,848
Total Employed5301,410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Springfield ($38,890) and St. Louis ($41,959) medical coder salaries.SpringfieldSt. LouisMedian Salary$38,890$41,959Entry Level (P10)$31,826$32,456Top Earner (P90)$63,037$63,848US Median $41,861

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Springfield and St. Louis is $3,069 (7.89%). St. Louis's median is +0.23% 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. Louis spans $31,392. St. Louis 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. Louis
P10 (Entry)$32,456
P25$37,719
Median$41,959
P75$52,273
P90 (Top)$63,848

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($44,126 effective) pays 0.51% more than Springfield ($43,901 effective).

Springfield
Nominal: $38,890
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $43,901
St. Louis
Nominal: $41,959
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $44,126

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Springfield if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,959/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,848)
  • Larger job market (1,410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,126)
  • 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 -12.2% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Springfield, MO

+2.9%

$36,930 (2021) → $38,008 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+-12.2%

$46,690 (2021) → $41,008 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

St. Louis has a higher median medical coder salary at $41,959/year, compared to Springfield at $38,890/year — a difference of $3,069 (7.89%).

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

Springfield medical coders earn $18.69/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $20.17/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Springfield and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Springfield = $43,901, St. Louis = $44,126), job availability (530 vs 1,410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $31,826 in Springfield and $32,456 in St. Louis. The St. Louis 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