Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Birmingham, AL: $13.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Birmingham, AL runs $13.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $27,590 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Birmingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $14.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $16,549 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist in Birmingham, Alabama is projected at $13.26 for 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $14.59. This rate means that those working part-time or on a per-diem basis have the potential to earn a decent wage while enjoying flexible work schedules. For instance, a specialist working three days a week at this hourly rate could bring home approximately $20,796 annually. Entry-level coders may earn $9.51 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $19.11 hourly in Birmingham. These estimates, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, reflect opportunities primarily in remote settings, hospital health information management departments, and consulting firms.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $9.51 | $76.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $10.73 | $85.87 |
| Median (P50) | $13.26 | $106.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $16.08 | $128.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $19.11 | $152.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Birmingham
Based on $13.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $13.26/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Birmingham, AL can expect to earn approximately $27,582 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $15,913. With a cost-of-living index of 91.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Birmingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Birmingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $530.43 | $2,299 | $27,582 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $318.26 | $1,379 | $16,549 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $212.17 | $919 | $11,033 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Birmingham) | $13.26 |
| 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 Birmingham, AL earn a median of $27,590 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.09% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 5.40% above the Alabama state average of $26,176.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $13.26/hr = $16,549/year (purchasing power: $18,058).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $27,582/year (purchasing power: $30,097).
CoL index: 91.644 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$12.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$13.26/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-24.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Birmingham (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $12.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Birmingham grew -28.2% from $18.04/hr (2021) to $12.96/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.57/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 Birmingham 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 Birmingham
Prospective medical billing and coding specialists should consider how their work arrangements affect their earnings. A part-time coder working 24 hours weekly would generate a significantly lower annual income compared to a full-time position. Per diem opportunities also exist, where specialists may command rates significantly higher than the typical hourly pay in Birmingham—for instance, per diem medical billing and coding specialists can bill anywhere from $25 to $42 per hour. Different employers provide varying pay structures as well. Those in physician group practice coding offices or hospital inpatient departments may see different rates compared to those in third-party coding companies or consulting firms. While some coders might accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, negotiating rates can lead to better pay particularly in a growing field like risk adjustment coding, where specialists with relevant certifications can leverage their skills for higher compensation.
More salary data for Birmingham, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Birmingham. 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