Medical Coder Pay

Sacramento vs Vallejo: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Sacramento, CA and Vallejo, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sacramento, CA
$61,515
$29.57/hr
Vallejo, CA
$67,310
$32.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSacramento, CAVallejo, CA
Median Salary$61,515$67,310
Hourly Rate$29.57$32.35
Entry Level (P10)$38,857$38,104
25th Percentile$46,273$47,681
75th Percentile$72,533$67,310
Top Earner (P90)$87,185$67,736
Total Employed1,340130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sacramento ($61,515) and Vallejo ($67,310) medical coder salaries.SacramentoVallejoMedian Salary$61,515$67,310Entry Level (P10)$38,857$38,104Top Earner (P90)$87,185$67,736US Median $41,861

Verdict

Sacramento and Vallejo are closely matched on overall medical coder compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Sacramento and Vallejo is $5,795 (9.42%). Vallejo's median is +60.79% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sacramento spans $48,328,Vallejo spans $29,632. Sacramento has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$38,857
P25$46,273
Median$61,515
P75$72,533
P90 (Top)$87,185
Vallejo
P10 (Entry)$38,104
P25$47,681
Median$67,310
P75$67,310
P90 (Top)$67,736

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vallejo ($62,049 effective) pays 7.60% more than Sacramento ($57,669 effective).

Sacramento
Nominal: $61,515
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $57,669
Vallejo
Nominal: $67,310
CoL Index: 108.479
Adjusted: $62,049

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($87,185)
  • Larger job market (1,340 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Vallejo if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,310/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,049)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Sacramento grew -0.6% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 8.8% growth in Vallejo over the same period.

Sacramento, CA

+-0.6%

$60,460 (2021) → $60,120 (2025)

Vallejo, CA

+8.8%

$60,470 (2021) → $65,784 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Sacramento or Vallejo?

Vallejo has a higher median medical coder salary at $67,310/year, compared to Sacramento at $61,515/year — a difference of $5,795 (9.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sacramento and Vallejo?

Sacramento medical coders earn $29.57/hr while Vallejo hygienists earn $32.35/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sacramento to Vallejo as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sacramento and Vallejo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sacramento = $57,669, Vallejo = $62,049), job availability (1,340 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Sacramento vs Vallejo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $38,857 in Sacramento and $38,104 in Vallejo. The Sacramento 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