Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Phenix City, AL: $12.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Phenix City, AL runs $12.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $25,756 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Phenix City's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $14.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $15,451 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Phenix City, Alabama, earn a median hourly rate of $12.38, which is notably lower than the national median of $14.59 per hour. This discrepancy highlights the unique economic conditions of the area, reflected in the overall cost of living index, which is 87.9, suggesting that local wages may not keep pace with broader national trends. For part-time workers, who might typically clock in around 24 hours a week, this hourly wage translates to approximately $15,500 annually, making it a challenging option for those supporting a family or pursuing further education. Entry-level positions may start around $9.66 per hour, while more experienced specialists at the 90th percentile can earn up to $18.53 hourly, showcasing a clear range that can influence job selection in diverse settings, including remote environments, physician offices, hospitals, and coding firms.
About the Phenix City Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $9.66 | $77.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $10.95 | $87.59 |
| Median (P50) | $12.38 | $99.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $15.18 | $121.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $18.53 | $148.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Phenix City
Based on $12.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $12.38/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Phenix City, AL can expect to earn approximately $25,752 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $14,857. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Phenix City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Phenix City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $495.23 | $2,146 | $25,752 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $297.14 | $1,288 | $15,451 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $198.09 | $858 | $10,301 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Phenix City) | $12.38 |
| 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 Phenix City, AL earn a median of $25,756 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.13% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.60% below the Alabama state average of $26,175.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $12.38/hr = $15,451/year (purchasing power: $17,578).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $25,752/year (purchasing power: $29,297).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$11.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$12.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$12.38/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Phenix City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $11.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $11.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $11.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $12.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $12.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $12.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Phenix City grew 9.6% from $11.04/hr (2021) to $12.10/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $12.67/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 Phenix City 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 Phenix City
Part-time medical billing and coding specialists may find themselves navigating unique financial realities compared to their full-time counterparts. Those working on a per-diem basis often enjoy higher rates ranging from $25 to $42 per hour, providing a significant boost for individuals looking to maximize earnings without committing to full-time positions. In Phenix City, hourly wages can vary based on the type of employer—coding offices in physician practices, hospitals, third-party companies, and insurance firms each exhibit different pay scales. For example, CCS inpatient coders can command rates as high as $35-$55 per hour, particularly in more specialized roles. Many professionals face a trade-off between the security of full-time positions, which often come with health benefits, and the potentially higher hourly rates associated with contract work. When negotiating hourly pay, specialists can benefit from understanding regional compensation standards and leveraging their certifications through AAPC or AHIMA, particularly in high-demand areas like risk adjustment and HCC coding, to improve their negotiating power in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Phenix City, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Phenix City in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Phenix City?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Phenix City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time medical billing and coding specialist make per year in Phenix City?
Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Phenix City?
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 Phenix City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Phenix City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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