Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Auburn, AL: $14.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Auburn, AL runs $14.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $29,264 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Auburn's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $16.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $17,558 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Auburn, Alabama, medical billing and coding specialists can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $14.07, slightly below the national median of $14.59. This rate reflects the local market's adaptation to the growing demand for billing and coding professionals, particularly in remote settings such as home offices, hospital health information management (HIM) departments, and physician group practices. Entry-level positions may start as low as $9.22 per hour, while experienced coders in high-demand roles can reach hourly earnings as high as $22.06. Official figures from 2026 estimates, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, illustrate this range, underscoring the various earning potentials associated with different skill sets and experience levels within the field in AL.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $9.22 | $73.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $10.39 | $83.08 |
| Median (P50) | $14.07 | $112.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $16.83 | $134.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.06 | $176.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Auburn
Based on $14.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $14.07/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Auburn, AL can expect to earn approximately $29,264 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,883. With a cost-of-living index of 87.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Auburn.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Auburn
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $562.76 | $2,439 | $29,264 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $337.66 | $1,463 | $17,558 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $225.10 | $975 | $11,705 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Auburn) | $14.07 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.77 |
| Medical Secretary (National Avg) | $20.19 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Billing and Posting Clerk (National Avg) | $21.86 |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Auburn, AL earn a median of $29,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.58% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 11.80% above the Alabama state average of $26,175.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $14.07/hr = $17,558/year (purchasing power: $19,968).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $29,264/year (purchasing power: $33,279).
CoL index: 87.933 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$22.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$14.07/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-34.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Auburn (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $14.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Auburn grew -37.6% from $22.03/hr (2021) to $13.75/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $14.40/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical billing and coding specialists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.32% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Medical Billing and Coding Specialist in Auburn
Part-time medical billing and coding specialists working three days a week (24 hours) could realize an approximate annual income of around $33,470, contrasting with full-time positions that typically yield higher earnings. Per-diem medical billing and coding specialists, particularly those contracting through agencies, often command much higher pay rates, between $25-$42 per hour, while certified coders like CCS and CRC specialists can earn even more, ranging from $35-$65 per hour. Hourly rates can vary widely across types of employer, with physician practices generally offering lower pay compared to third-party coding companies or consulting firms that provide remote opportunities. Some professionals might opt for lower-paying jobs that include health benefits, weighing the trade-offs between hourly rate and comprehensive health coverage. For those seeking to negotiate their hourly pay in Auburn, knowing local salary trends and emphasizing specialized certifications such as CPC or CCS can be beneficial. Understanding the evolving landscape of medical coding, including the growth in risk adjustment and HCC coding, provides leverage in discussions with potential employers.
More salary data for Auburn, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Auburn in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Auburn?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Auburn paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Auburn?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Auburn?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical billing and coding specialists in Auburn. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical billing and coding specialists (SOC 29-2072).
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