Medical Coder Pay

Indianapolis vs Richmond: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

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

Indianapolis, IN
$39,643
$19.06/hr
Richmond, IN
$38,514
$18.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INRichmond, IN
Median Salary$39,643$38,514
Hourly Rate$19.06$18.52
Entry Level (P10)$31,326$27,327
25th Percentile$35,157$34,395
75th Percentile$51,897$47,556
Top Earner (P90)$67,785$58,149
Total Employed1,6507
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($39,643) and Richmond ($38,514) medical coder salaries.IndianapolisRichmondMedian Salary$39,643$38,514Entry Level (P10)$31,326$27,327Top Earner (P90)$67,785$58,149US Median $41,861

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Indianapolis and Richmond is $1,129 (2.93%). Indianapolis's median is -5.30% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Indianapolis spans $36,459,Richmond spans $30,822. Indianapolis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$31,326
P25$35,157
Median$39,643
P75$51,897
P90 (Top)$67,785
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, Richmond ($42,184 effective) pays 1.83% more than Indianapolis ($41,426 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $39,643
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $41,426
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 Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,643/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,785)
  • Larger job market (1,650 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,184)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Indianapolis grew -18.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -7.9% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+-18.0%

$47,270 (2021) → $38,744 (2025)

Richmond, IN

+-7.9%

$40,870 (2024) → $37,641 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Indianapolis or Richmond?

Indianapolis has a higher median medical coder salary at $39,643/year, compared to Richmond at $38,514/year — a difference of $1,129 (2.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and Richmond?

Indianapolis medical coders earn $19.06/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $18.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Indianapolis to Richmond as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $41,426, Richmond = $42,184), job availability (1,650 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $31,326 in Indianapolis and $27,327 in Richmond. The Indianapolis 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