Medical Coder Hourly Pay in St. Joseph, MO: $19.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical coder working in St. Joseph, MO runs $19.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,142 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against St. Joseph's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.4, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,083 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Joseph, Missouri, the median hourly pay for medical coders is projected to be $19.30 in 2026. This figure positions local coders slightly below the national hourly median of $20.13, indicating that while St. Joseph offers a competitive wage, it may not be the highest-paying market for this profession. For medical coders working part-time or in per-diem roles—common situations in both clinical settings and hospitals—this hourly rate translates into substantial income. The hourly pay range runs from $14.66 for entry-level positions to $28.73 for top earners in the field. These numbers, derived from official BLS OEWS data, effectively reflect the evolving landscape of medical coding jobs in the region, giving prospective and current coders a clear understanding of what to expect regarding pay.
Medical Coder Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.66 | $117.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.70 | $141.61 |
| Median (P50) | $19.30 | $154.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.91 | $199.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.73 | $229.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Joseph
Based on $19.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.30/hr, a medical coder working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Joseph, MO can expect to earn approximately $40,139 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,157. With a cost-of-living index of 86.38 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Joseph.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Joseph
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $771.90 | $3,345 | $40,139 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $463.14 | $2,007 | $24,083 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $308.76 | $1,338 | $16,056 |
Compare CPC, CCS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Coder (St. Joseph) | $19.30 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Coders in St. Joseph, MO earn a median of $40,142 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.11% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 1.70% below the Missouri state average of $40,836.
Medical Coder Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.30/hr = $24,083/year (purchasing power: $27,880).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,139/year (purchasing power: $46,467).
CoL index: 86.382 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$23.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.30/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-14.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Coders in St. Joseph (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $23.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical coders in St. Joseph grew -18.4% from $23.11/hr (2021) to $18.86/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.75/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical coders can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Joseph metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.32% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Medical Coder in St. Joseph
Looking at the financial realities of working as a medical coder, part-time employees clocking in three days a week, for instance, can expect to take home about $30,390 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. For individuals considering per diem opportunities, it's important to note that such positions typically command a premium of 10-25% over standard staff wages, making per diem medical coder pay in St. Joseph potentially more attractive. Variations in compensation can also arise based on employer type; community health centers and large healthcare organizations might offer different rates compared to private practices and specialty clinics. Additionally, medical coders often face a choice between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower wages that include health insurance. When negotiating pay, it's beneficial for coders to emphasize their credentials and local trends to secure the best compensation, given the competitive nature of the industry in MO.
More salary data for St. Joseph, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical coders in St. Joseph in 2026?
How much do part-time medical coders make in St. Joseph?
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Do medical coders earn more per hour working part-time in St. Joseph?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical coders in St. Joseph. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical coders (SOC 29-2072).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC, a licensed medical coder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov