Medical Coder Pay

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

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

St. Louis, MO
$41,959
$20.17/hr
Wentzville, MO
$38,955
$18.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSt. Louis, MOWentzville, MO
Median Salary$41,959$38,955
Hourly Rate$20.17$18.72
Entry Level (P10)$32,456$29,717
25th Percentile$37,719$32,962
75th Percentile$52,273$48,632
Top Earner (P90)$63,848$59,685
Total Employed1,41010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing St. Louis ($41,959) and Wentzville ($38,955) medical coder salaries.St. LouisWentzvilleMedian Salary$41,959$38,955Entry Level (P10)$32,456$29,717Top Earner (P90)$63,848$59,685US Median $41,861

Verdict

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

The salary gap between St. Louis and Wentzville is $3,004 (7.71%). 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 St. Louis spans $31,392,Wentzville spans $29,968. St. Louis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$32,456
P25$37,719
Median$41,959
P75$52,273
P90 (Top)$63,848
Wentzville
P10 (Entry)$29,717
P25$32,962
Median$38,955
P75$48,632
P90 (Top)$59,685

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($44,126 effective) pays 1.49% more than Wentzville ($43,477 effective).

St. Louis
Nominal: $41,959
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $44,126
Wentzville
Nominal: $38,955
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $43,477

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Wentzville if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in St. Louis grew -12.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -3.1% growth in Wentzville over the same period.

St. Louis, MO

+-12.2%

$46,690 (2021) → $41,008 (2025)

Wentzville, MO

+-3.1%

$39,300 (2024) → $38,072 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

St. Louis has a higher median medical coder salary at $41,959/year, compared to Wentzville at $38,955/year — a difference of $3,004 (7.71%).

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

St. Louis medical coders earn $20.17/hr while Wentzville hygienists earn $18.72/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing St. Louis and Wentzville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: St. Louis = $44,126, Wentzville = $43,477), job availability (1,410 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $32,456 in St. Louis and $29,717 in Wentzville. 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