Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Tuscaloosa, AL: $13.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Tuscaloosa, AL runs $13.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $27,850 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Tuscaloosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.7, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $15.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $16,703 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is projected to be $13.38 in 2026, slightly lower than the national hourly median of $14.59. This rate can affect those considering part-time positions, such as a three-day workweek, who might earn approximately $21,000 annually based on a 24-hour work schedule. Opportunities abound in various work settings, from remote home offices and hospital HIM departments to coding cubicles in physician groups and third-party coding companies. Entry-level professionals can expect to earn around $9.40 per hour, while experienced specialists may see their hourly rates rise to $19.01, reflecting the full spectrum of earning potential available in Tuscaloosa based on official BLS data.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $9.40 | $75.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $10.02 | $80.14 |
| Median (P50) | $13.38 | $107.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $16.41 | $131.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $19.01 | $152.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tuscaloosa
Based on $13.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $13.38/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tuscaloosa, AL can expect to earn approximately $27,838 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $16,060. With a cost-of-living index of 87.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Tuscaloosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tuscaloosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $535.34 | $2,320 | $27,838 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $321.20 | $1,392 | $16,703 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $214.14 | $928 | $11,135 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Tuscaloosa) | $13.38 |
| 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 Tuscaloosa, AL earn a median of $27,850 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.23% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 6.40% above the Alabama state average of $26,175.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $13.38/hr = $16,703/year (purchasing power: $19,040).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $27,838/year (purchasing power: $31,734).
CoL index: 87.722 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$17.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$13.38/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-23.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Tuscaloosa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $13.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.69/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Tuscaloosa grew -26.8% from $17.87/hr (2021) to $13.08/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.69/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 Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa
The part-time earning potential for medical billing and coding specialists can be significant, especially for those opting to work only three days a week. With a typical hourly commitment, these specialists may find themselves earning less than full-time counterparts, yet their work-life balance often compensates for the difference. Per diem medical billing and coding specialist pay in Tuscaloosa varies widely; agency and 1099 coders can demand rates between $25 and $42 per hour depending on their expertise and client needs. This variability highlights the different earnings among employer types—physician practices, hospitals, and third-party companies play distinct roles in defining compensation structures. Some professionals may choose to accept lower hourly rates for the benefits of health insurance and other perks, while others might prioritize higher pay without benefits for greater flexibility. Effective negotiation is crucial in this context, and being armed with local compensation benchmarks can significantly enhance one's bargaining power in Tuscaloosa's job market.
More salary data for Tuscaloosa, 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 Tuscaloosa. 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