Medical Coder Pay

Savage vs St. Cloud: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Savage, MN and St. Cloud, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Savage, MN
$31,894
$15.34/hr
St. Cloud, MN
$49,515
$23.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSavage, MNSt. Cloud, MN
Median Salary$31,894$49,515
Hourly Rate$15.34$23.80
Entry Level (P10)$25,054$38,022
25th Percentile$28,231$42,786
75th Percentile$40,336$71,509
Top Earner (P90)$49,436$80,415
Total Employed980
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Savage ($31,894) and St. Cloud ($49,515) medical coder salaries.SavageSt. CloudMedian Salary$31,894$49,515Entry Level (P10)$25,054$38,022Top Earner (P90)$49,436$80,415US Median $41,861

Verdict

St. Cloud, MN offers better overall compensation for medical coders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Savage.

The salary gap between Savage and St. Cloud is $17,621 (55.25%). St. Cloud's median is +18.28% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Savage spans $24,382,St. Cloud spans $42,393. St. Cloud has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

Savage
P10 (Entry)$25,054
P25$28,231
Median$31,894
P75$40,336
P90 (Top)$49,436
St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$38,022
P25$42,786
Median$49,515
P75$71,509
P90 (Top)$80,415

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Cloud ($56,503 effective) pays 74.50% more than Savage ($32,380 effective).

Savage
Nominal: $31,894
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $32,380
St. Cloud
Nominal: $49,515
CoL Index: 87.632
Adjusted: $56,503

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Savage if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,515/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,415)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,503)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Savage grew -39.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 3.2% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.

Savage, MN

+-39.4%

$51,427 (2024) → $31,171 (2025)

St. Cloud, MN

+3.2%

$46,910 (2021) → $48,392 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Savage or St. Cloud?

St. Cloud has a higher median medical coder salary at $49,515/year, compared to Savage at $31,894/year — a difference of $17,621 (55.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Savage and St. Cloud?

Savage medical coders earn $15.34/hr while St. Cloud hygienists earn $23.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Savage to St. Cloud as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Savage and St. Cloud. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Savage = $32,380, St. Cloud = $56,503), job availability (9 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Savage vs St. Cloud?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $25,054 in Savage and $38,022 in St. Cloud. The St. Cloud 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