Medical Coder Pay

Fort Wayne vs Richmond: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and Richmond, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Wayne, IN
$40,961
$19.70/hr
Richmond, IN
$38,514
$18.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INRichmond, IN
Median Salary$40,961$38,514
Hourly Rate$19.70$18.52
Entry Level (P10)$32,390$27,327
25th Percentile$34,208$34,395
75th Percentile$50,513$47,556
Top Earner (P90)$62,882$58,149
Total Employed5707
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($40,961) and Richmond ($38,514) medical coder salaries.Fort WayneRichmondMedian Salary$40,961$38,514Entry Level (P10)$32,390$27,327Top Earner (P90)$62,882$58,149US Median $41,861

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Richmond.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Richmond is $2,447 (6.35%). Fort Wayne's median is -2.15% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $30,492,Richmond spans $30,822. Richmond has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$32,390
P25$34,208
Median$40,961
P75$50,513
P90 (Top)$62,882
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$27,327
P25$34,395
Median$38,514
P75$47,556
P90 (Top)$58,149

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($44,248 effective) pays 4.89% more than Richmond ($42,184 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $40,961
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $44,248
Richmond
Nominal: $38,514
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $42,184

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,961/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,882)
  • Larger job market (570 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,248)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Fort Wayne grew -13.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -7.9% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+-13.1%

$46,080 (2021) → $40,032 (2025)

Richmond, IN

+-7.9%

$40,870 (2024) → $37,641 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Fort Wayne or Richmond?

Fort Wayne has a higher median medical coder salary at $40,961/year, compared to Richmond at $38,514/year — a difference of $2,447 (6.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Wayne and Richmond?

Fort Wayne medical coders earn $19.70/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $18.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Wayne to Richmond as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $44,248, Richmond = $42,184), job availability (570 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Fort Wayne vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $32,390 in Fort Wayne and $27,327 in Richmond. The Fort Wayne 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