Medical Coder Salary in Missouri: $41,653 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median medical coder pay sits at $41,653/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $46,488 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbia ($48,768), St. Louis ($41,008), Cape Girardeau ($40,872).
In Missouri, the projected average median salary for medical coders in 2026 is $41,652, which is slightly below the national median of $41,861, indicating a variance of -0.5%. The highest-paying city in the state is Columbia, where medical coders can earn up to $49,899, while the lowest-paying city, Hannibal, offers a salary of $37,698. This salary gap of $12,201 can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the presence of healthcare employers in different regions. In Missouri, medical coders need to adhere to state licensing requirements and guidelines that govern their scope of practice. This includes a focus on certifications like CPC (Certified Professional Coder) or CCS (Certified Coding Specialist), which are increasingly preferred by employers. The job market for medical coders is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.32%, reflecting the ongoing need for accurate medical billing and coding as healthcare systems expand. With a total of 3,932 medical coders employed across 33 metro areas, cities like St. Louis ($41,959), Cape Girardeau ($41,820), Independence ($41,693), and St. Peters ($41,389) offer varying opportunities depending on local healthcare infrastructure and employer demand.
Missouri Medical Coder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $28,189 (lowest entry-level) to $64,895 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri medical coders earn 0.5% less than the national median ($-208/year difference).
Missouri Medical Coder Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Coder salaries in Missouri range from $32,329 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $63,432 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $41,653. The Missouri median is $208 below the US national median of $41,861. The average hourly rate is $20.02/hr. Approximately 3,932 medical coders are employed across 33 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$45,433
2025 BLS Actual
$40,708
2026 Current Est.
$41,653
2021–2027 Growth
+-6.2%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Missouri (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $45,433 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,043 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,895 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,962 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,708 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,653 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,619 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -10.4% from $45,433 (2021) to $40,708 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,619 by 2027 — a total increase of $-2,814 (-6.19%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
Best Value Cities for Medical Coders in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for medical coders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $49,899 | 89.438 | $55,792 |
| Cape Girardeau | $41,820 | 86.078 | $48,584 |
| Independence | $41,693 | 89.6 | $46,532 |
| St. Joseph | $40,142 | 86.382 | $46,470 |
| St. Peters | $41,389 | 89.6 | $46,193 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $32,329 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $41,653 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $63,432 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $49,899 |
| 2 | St. Louis | $41,959 |
| 3 | Cape Girardeau | $41,820 |
| 4 | Independence | $41,693 |
| 5 | St. Peters | $41,389 |
| 6 | St. Charles | $41,312 |
| 7 | Kansas City | $41,157 |
| 8 | O'Fallon | $40,833 |
| 9 | Florissant | $40,619 |
| 10 | Jefferson City | $40,551 |
| 11 | Wildwood | $40,530 |
| 12 | Kirkwood | $40,518 |
| 13 | Lee's Summit | $40,495 |
| 14 | Chesterfield | $40,489 |
| 15 | University City | $40,277 |
| 16 | Liberty | $40,261 |
| 17 | Grandview | $40,191 |
| 18 | St. Joseph | $40,142 |
| 19 | Maryland Heights | $40,125 |
| 20 | Blue Springs | $39,670 |
| 21 | Raytown | $39,434 |
| 22 | Webster Groves | $39,238 |
| 23 | Sedalia | $39,225 |
| 24 | Ballwin | $39,155 |
| 25 | Nixa | $39,151 |
| 26 | Gladstone | $39,047 |
| 27 | Wentzville | $38,955 |
| 28 | Springfield | $38,890 |
| 29 | Belton | $38,626 |
| 30 | Joplin | $38,472 |
| 31 | Branson | $37,965 |
| 32 | Raymore | $37,821 |
| 33 | Hannibal | $37,698 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical coder hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical coders.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Medical Coder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical coders make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical coders in Missouri?
How does Missouri medical coder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical coder salary in Missouri?
How many medical coders are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri city offers the best value for medical coders?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical coder compensation across Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical coderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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