Medical Coder Pay

Radford vs Richmond: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

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

Radford, VA
$38,603
$18.56/hr
Richmond, VA
$42,049
$20.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRadford, VARichmond, VA
Median Salary$38,603$42,049
Hourly Rate$18.56$20.22
Entry Level (P10)$29,200$31,449
25th Percentile$34,829$38,276
75th Percentile$46,744$51,651
Top Earner (P90)$56,191$62,292
Total Employed6740
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Radford ($38,603) and Richmond ($42,049) medical coder salaries.RadfordRichmondMedian Salary$38,603$42,049Entry Level (P10)$29,200$31,449Top Earner (P90)$56,191$62,292US Median $41,861

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Radford and Richmond is $3,446 (8.93%). Richmond's median is +0.45% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Radford spans $26,991,Richmond spans $30,843. Richmond has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

Radford
P10 (Entry)$29,200
P25$34,829
Median$38,603
P75$46,744
P90 (Top)$56,191
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$31,449
P25$38,276
Median$42,049
P75$51,651
P90 (Top)$62,292

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($42,969 effective) pays 14.87% more than Radford ($37,406 effective).

Radford
Nominal: $38,603
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $37,406
Richmond
Nominal: $42,049
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $42,969

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Radford if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,049/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,292)
  • Larger job market (740 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,969)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Radford grew -26.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -12.4% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Radford, VA

+-26.5%

$51,326 (2024) → $37,728 (2025)

Richmond, VA

+-12.4%

$46,910 (2021) → $41,096 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Radford or Richmond?

Richmond has a higher median medical coder salary at $42,049/year, compared to Radford at $38,603/year — a difference of $3,446 (8.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Radford and Richmond?

Radford medical coders earn $18.56/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $20.22/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Radford and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Radford = $37,406, Richmond = $42,969), job availability (6 vs 740 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $29,200 in Radford and $31,449 in Richmond. The Richmond 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