Medical Coder Pay

Conway vs Little Rock: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Conway, AR and Little Rock, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Conway, AR
$33,473
$16.09/hr
Little Rock, AR
$34,199
$16.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConway, ARLittle Rock, AR
Median Salary$33,473$34,199
Hourly Rate$16.09$16.44
Entry Level (P10)$24,541$28,551
25th Percentile$28,457$29,943
75th Percentile$42,309$40,699
Top Earner (P90)$51,883$54,336
Total Employed14670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Conway ($33,473) and Little Rock ($34,199) medical coder salaries.ConwayLittle RockMedian Salary$33,473$34,199Entry Level (P10)$24,541$28,551Top Earner (P90)$51,883$54,336US Median $41,861

Verdict

Little Rock, AR offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Conway.

The salary gap between Conway and Little Rock is $726 (2.17%). Little Rock's median is -18.30% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Conway spans $27,342,Little Rock spans $25,785. Conway has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Conway
P10 (Entry)$24,541
P25$28,457
Median$33,473
P75$42,309
P90 (Top)$51,883
Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$28,551
P25$29,943
Median$34,199
P75$40,699
P90 (Top)$54,336

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Conway ($38,519 effective) pays 0.65% more than Little Rock ($38,269 effective).

Conway
Nominal: $33,473
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $38,519
Little Rock
Nominal: $34,199
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $38,269

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Conway if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $38,519)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($34,199/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($54,336)
  • Larger job market (670 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Conway grew -2.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -27.1% growth in Little Rock over the same period.

Conway, AR

+-2.9%

$33,681 (2024) → $32,714 (2025)

Little Rock, AR

+-27.1%

$45,840 (2021) → $33,424 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Conway or Little Rock?

Little Rock has a higher median medical coder salary at $34,199/year, compared to Conway at $33,473/year — a difference of $726 (2.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Conway and Little Rock?

Conway medical coders earn $16.09/hr while Little Rock hygienists earn $16.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Conway to Little Rock as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Conway and Little Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Conway = $38,519, Little Rock = $38,269), job availability (14 vs 670 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Conway vs Little Rock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $24,541 in Conway and $28,551 in Little Rock. The Little Rock area offers higher starting salaries.
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