Medical Coder Salary in St. Joseph, MO: $40,142 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in St. Joseph, MO earns a median $40,142/year (≈ $19.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in St. Joseph's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $46,470 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Joseph, MO, the projected median annual salary for medical coders is $40,142 according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projecting into 2026. This figure indicates a slight decrease relative to the national median, which is $41,861. The local salary range is significant, with entry-level positions earning around $30,491 while experienced coders can command up to $59,755. With approximately 50 medical coders employed in the area, the job market remains relatively stable, although the saturation level may influence individual salary offers. Understanding these dynamics can be crucial for those seeking to enter the medical coding field in St. Joseph.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,491 | $14.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,819 | $17.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,142 | $19.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,823 | $24.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,755 | $28.73 |
Median Salary Position
4.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Joseph
In St. Joseph, MO, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,264 (2026 est.). At $40,142, the local median is 4.11% below the national median of $41,861.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Joseph: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Joseph Medical Coder Pay Compares
St. Joseph median: $40,142/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Joseph Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $40,836 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $41,861 | -4.11% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Joseph has a cost of living 13.62% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Joseph, MO has a cost-of-living index of 86.382 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $40,142 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,470 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.76% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$48,070
2025 BLS Actual
$39,232
2026 Current Est.
$40,142
2021–2027 Growth
+-14.6%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $48,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,232 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,142 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,073 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Joseph metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -18.4% from $48,070 (2021) to $39,232 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,073 by 2027 — a total increase of $-6,997 (-14.56%) from 2021.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $30,491 – $36,819 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,819 – $40,142 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,142 – $51,823 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,823 – $59,755 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in St. Joseph
The local job market for medical coders shows a steady employment base, yet low-cost living conditions must be considered in salary discussions. With a Cost of Living index at 86.382, the purchasing power for those earning salaries within the medical coder pay St. Joseph MO range is comparatively higher than in many other areas, despite the lower pay scale. Larger healthcare organizations often pay more than private practices and community health centers, which can affect average earnings depending on employer type. Factors such as shift differentials, specialized credentials, and benefits packages contribute to the variability in compensation. For those aiming to maximize their earnings, acquiring additional certifications or specializing in high-demand areas may offer an edge in the competitive job market.
More salary data for St. Joseph, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $39,232 for medical codersin the St. Joseph metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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