Medical Coder Pay

Los Angeles vs Milpitas: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Milpitas, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$48,385
$23.27/hr
Milpitas, CA
$46,957
$22.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAMilpitas, CA
Median Salary$48,385$46,957
Hourly Rate$23.27$22.57
Entry Level (P10)$34,142$34,541
25th Percentile$39,209$40,007
75th Percentile$66,000$60,105
Top Earner (P90)$82,912$72,783
Total Employed7,24016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($48,385) and Milpitas ($46,957) medical coder salaries.Los AngelesMilpitasMedian Salary$48,385$46,957Entry Level (P10)$34,142$34,541Top Earner (P90)$82,912$72,783US Median $41,861

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Milpitas.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Milpitas is $1,428 (3.04%). Los Angeles's median is +15.58% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $48,770,Milpitas spans $38,242. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$34,142
P25$39,209
Median$48,385
P75$66,000
P90 (Top)$82,912
Milpitas
P10 (Entry)$34,541
P25$40,007
Median$46,957
P75$60,105
P90 (Top)$72,783

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($42,605 effective) pays 2.62% more than Milpitas ($41,518 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $48,385
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $42,605
Milpitas
Nominal: $46,957
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $41,518

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,385/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,912)
  • Larger job market (7,240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,605)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Milpitas if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Los Angeles grew -3.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -36.7% growth in Milpitas over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+-3.1%

$48,810 (2021) → $47,288 (2025)

Milpitas, CA

+-36.7%

$72,442 (2024) → $45,892 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Los Angeles or Milpitas?

Los Angeles has a higher median medical coder salary at $48,385/year, compared to Milpitas at $46,957/year — a difference of $1,428 (3.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Milpitas?

Los Angeles medical coders earn $23.27/hr while Milpitas hygienists earn $22.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Milpitas as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Milpitas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $42,605, Milpitas = $41,518), job availability (7,240 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Los Angeles vs Milpitas?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $34,142 in Los Angeles and $34,541 in Milpitas. The Milpitas 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