Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Gadsden, AL: $11.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Gadsden, AL runs $11.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $24,349 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Gadsden's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $13.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $14,608 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Gadsden, Alabama, the estimated medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay for 2026 is $11.71. This figure falls significantly below the national hourly median of $14.59, creating a gap that reflects the local market conditions. For professionals seeking part-time opportunities, such as those working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a modest weekly income, making full-time positions more attractive for those aiming for financial stability. The hourly pay range for medical billing and coding specialists in Gadsden stretches from $7.93 for entry-level roles to $16.37 for seasoned professionals. This data, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, illustrates the potential earnings landscape in various settings, including remote home offices, hospital departments, and coding facilities.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $7.93 | $63.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $9.80 | $78.42 |
| Median (P50) | $11.71 | $93.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $13.15 | $105.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $16.37 | $130.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gadsden
Based on $11.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $11.71/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gadsden, AL can expect to earn approximately $24,347 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $14,046. With a cost-of-living index of 85.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gadsden.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gadsden
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $468.22 | $2,029 | $24,347 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $280.93 | $1,217 | $14,608 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $187.29 | $812 | $9,739 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Gadsden) | $11.71 |
| 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 Gadsden, AL earn a median of $24,349 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.77% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 7.00% below the Alabama state average of $26,182.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $11.71/hr = $14,608/year (purchasing power: $17,055).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $24,347/year (purchasing power: $28,425).
CoL index: 85.653 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$16.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$11.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$11.71/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-27.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Gadsden (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $16.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $13.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $11.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $11.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $11.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Gadsden grew -31.0% from $16.59/hr (2021) to $11.44/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $11.98/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 Gadsden 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 Gadsden
Examining the earning potential reveals distinct patterns for part-time and per-diem medical billing and coding specialists in Gadsden. A 24-hour workweek results in an annual income that may not provide sufficient financial support, especially when compared to full-time earnings. In contrast, per-diem or contract coders often have the freedom to bill $25-$42 per hour, with specialized roles such as CCS inpatient coders earning $35-$55 per hour, and CRC risk adjustment specialists reaching up to $40-$65 per hour. Employer types vary widely in terms of hourly rates, with differences based on the nature of the organization—physician offices, hospitals, and insurance companies all adopt different payment models. As some medical billing and coding specialists exchange lower hourly rates for benefits like health insurance, it's vital to consider long-term goals when negotiating pay. For those looking to maximize their rates, understanding local market trends and leveraging specific coding credentials can significantly enhance their negotiating power in a competitive field.
More salary data for Gadsden, 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 Gadsden. 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