Medical Coder Pay

Richmond vs South Bend: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

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

Richmond, IN
$38,514
$18.52/hr
South Bend, IN
$38,972
$18.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichmond, INSouth Bend, IN
Median Salary$38,514$38,972
Hourly Rate$18.52$18.73
Entry Level (P10)$27,327$32,137
25th Percentile$34,395$32,554
75th Percentile$47,556$49,728
Top Earner (P90)$58,149$64,887
Total Employed7330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richmond ($38,514) and South Bend ($38,972) medical coder salaries.RichmondSouth BendMedian Salary$38,514$38,972Entry Level (P10)$27,327$32,137Top Earner (P90)$58,149$64,887US Median $41,861

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Richmond and South Bend is $458 (1.19%). South Bend's median is -6.90% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richmond spans $30,822,South Bend spans $32,750. South Bend has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

Richmond
P10 (Entry)$27,327
P25$34,395
Median$38,514
P75$47,556
P90 (Top)$58,149
South Bend
P10 (Entry)$32,137
P25$32,554
Median$38,972
P75$49,728
P90 (Top)$64,887

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($42,184 effective) pays 0.51% more than South Bend ($41,969 effective).

Richmond
Nominal: $38,514
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $42,184
South Bend
Nominal: $38,972
CoL Index: 92.858
Adjusted: $41,969

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Richmond if…

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

Choose South Bend if…

  • Higher median salary ($38,972/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,887)
  • Larger job market (330 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Richmond grew -7.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 0.6% growth in South Bend over the same period.

Richmond, IN

+-7.9%

$40,870 (2024) → $37,641 (2025)

South Bend, IN

+0.6%

$37,850 (2021) → $38,088 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Richmond or South Bend?

South Bend has a higher median medical coder salary at $38,972/year, compared to Richmond at $38,514/year — a difference of $458 (1.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richmond and South Bend?

Richmond medical coders earn $18.52/hr while South Bend hygienists earn $18.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Richmond to South Bend as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richmond and South Bend. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richmond = $42,184, South Bend = $41,969), job availability (7 vs 330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $27,327 in Richmond and $32,137 in South Bend. The South Bend 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