Medical Billing Salary

Albany vs Long Beach: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Albany, NY and Long Beach, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Albany, NY
$33,151
$15.94/hr
Long Beach, NY
$30,174
$14.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbany, NYLong Beach, NY
Median Salary$33,151$30,174
Hourly Rate$15.94$14.51
Entry Level (P10)$23,916$22,182
25th Percentile$28,290$25,585
75th Percentile$37,856$37,117
Top Earner (P90)$45,892$45,173
Total Employed6107
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albany ($33,151) and Long Beach ($30,174) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.AlbanyLong BeachMedian Salary$33,151$30,174Entry Level (P10)$23,916$22,182Top Earner (P90)$45,892$45,173US Median $30,349

Verdict

Albany, NY offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Long Beach.

The salary gap between Albany and Long Beach is $2,977 (9.87%). Albany's median is +9.23% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albany spans $21,976,Long Beach spans $22,991. Long Beach has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical billing and coding specialists.

Albany
P10 (Entry)$23,916
P25$28,290
Median$33,151
P75$37,856
P90 (Top)$45,892
Long Beach
P10 (Entry)$22,182
P25$25,585
Median$30,174
P75$37,117
P90 (Top)$45,173

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albany ($33,296 effective) pays 27.89% more than Long Beach ($26,035 effective).

Albany
Nominal: $33,151
CoL Index: 99.566
Adjusted: $33,296
Long Beach
Nominal: $30,174
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $26,035

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Albany if…

  • Higher median salary ($33,151/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($45,892)
  • Larger job market (610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $33,296)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Long Beach if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Albany grew -31.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -55.5% growth in Long Beach over the same period.

Albany, NY

+-31.5%

$47,270 (2021) → $32,399 (2025)

Long Beach, NY

+-55.5%

$66,262 (2024) → $29,490 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Albany or Long Beach?

Albany has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $33,151/year, compared to Long Beach at $30,174/year — a difference of $2,977 (9.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albany and Long Beach?

Albany medical billing and coding specialists earn $15.94/hr while Long Beach hygienists earn $14.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albany to Long Beach as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albany and Long Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albany = $33,296, Long Beach = $26,035), job availability (610 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Albany vs Long Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $23,916 in Albany and $22,182 in Long Beach. The Albany area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Amina Patel, CPC

Career Analyst

Amina has 10 years of experience in medical billing. She specializes in outpatient coding for multi-specialty practices.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

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 Amina Patel, CPC, a licensed medical billing and coding specialist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov