Medical Coder Pay

Los Angeles vs West Covina: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$48,385
$23.27/hr
West Covina, CA
$48,487
$23.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAWest Covina, CA
Median Salary$48,385$48,487
Hourly Rate$23.27$23.31
Entry Level (P10)$34,142$35,826
25th Percentile$39,209$41,591
75th Percentile$66,000$60,765
Top Earner (P90)$82,912$75,155
Total Employed7,24025
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($48,385) and West Covina ($48,487) medical coder salaries.Los AngelesWest CovinaMedian Salary$48,385$48,487Entry Level (P10)$34,142$35,826Top Earner (P90)$82,912$75,155US Median $41,861

Verdict

Los Angeles and West Covina are closely matched on overall medical coder compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and West Covina is $102 (0.21%). West Covina's median is +15.83% 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,West Covina spans $39,329. 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
West Covina
P10 (Entry)$35,826
P25$41,591
Median$48,487
P75$60,765
P90 (Top)$75,155

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, West Covina ($42,871 effective) pays 0.62% more than Los Angeles ($42,605 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $48,385
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $42,605
West Covina
Nominal: $48,487
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $42,871

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($82,912)
  • Larger job market (7,240 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose West Covina if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,487/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,871)
  • 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 West Covina over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+-3.1%

$48,810 (2021) → $47,288 (2025)

West Covina, CA

+-36.7%

$74,804 (2024) → $47,388 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Los Angeles or West Covina?

West Covina has a higher median medical coder salary at $48,487/year, compared to Los Angeles at $48,385/year — a difference of $102 (0.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and West Covina?

Los Angeles medical coders earn $23.27/hr while West Covina hygienists earn $23.31/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and West Covina. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $42,605, West Covina = $42,871), job availability (7,240 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $34,142 in Los Angeles and $35,826 in West Covina. The West Covina 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