Medical Coder Pay

Tallahassee vs Tampa: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Tallahassee, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Tallahassee, FL
$35,820
$17.22/hr
Tampa, FL
$40,944
$19.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricTallahassee, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$35,820$40,944
Hourly Rate$17.22$19.69
Entry Level (P10)$27,757$30,041
25th Percentile$29,534$35,976
75th Percentile$47,657$51,733
Top Earner (P90)$60,295$66,688
Total Employed3002,450
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Tallahassee ($35,820) and Tampa ($40,944) medical coder salaries.TallahasseeTampaMedian Salary$35,820$40,944Entry Level (P10)$27,757$30,041Top Earner (P90)$60,295$66,688US Median $41,861

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Tallahassee.

The salary gap between Tallahassee and Tampa is $5,124 (14.30%). Tampa's median is -2.19% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Tallahassee spans $32,538,Tampa spans $36,647. Tampa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

Tallahassee
P10 (Entry)$27,757
P25$29,534
Median$35,820
P75$47,657
P90 (Top)$60,295
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$30,041
P25$35,976
Median$40,944
P75$51,733
P90 (Top)$66,688

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($40,583 effective) pays 6.41% more than Tallahassee ($38,139 effective).

Tallahassee
Nominal: $35,820
CoL Index: 93.919
Adjusted: $38,139
Tampa
Nominal: $40,944
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $40,583

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Tallahassee if…

  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,944/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($66,688)
  • Larger job market (2,450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $40,583)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Tallahassee grew -5.2% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 4.0% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Tallahassee, FL

+-5.2%

$36,930 (2021) → $35,008 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+4.0%

$38,480 (2021) → $40,016 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Tallahassee or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median medical coder salary at $40,944/year, compared to Tallahassee at $35,820/year — a difference of $5,124 (14.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Tallahassee and Tampa?

Tallahassee medical coders earn $17.22/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $19.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Tallahassee to Tampa as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Tallahassee and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Tallahassee = $38,139, Tampa = $40,583), job availability (300 vs 2,450 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Tallahassee vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $27,757 in Tallahassee and $30,041 in Tampa. The Tampa 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