Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay in Vestavia Hills, AL: $12.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical billing and coding specialist working in Vestavia Hills, AL runs $12.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $25,128 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Weighted against Vestavia Hills's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $13.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $15,081 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Vestavia Hills, Alabama, the medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay is approximately $12.08, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $14.59. This disparity highlights an important consideration for individuals in this profession, particularly those seeking part-time employment or per-diem opportunities within the local healthcare infrastructure. With most positions operating from remote home offices in the aftermath of 2020, the job market has adjusted to the needs of the workforce. Entry-level roles typically start around $8.98, with more experienced specialists earning up to $18.66 per hour within the community. The data for these hourly rates derives from overall annual salary estimates and reflects the variances that can occur in different medical settings, such as hospital departments, physician practices, and coding companies.
About the Vestavia Hills 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) | $8.98 | $71.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $10.32 | $82.59 |
| Median (P50) | $12.08 | $96.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $15.17 | $121.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $18.66 | $149.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Vestavia Hills
Based on $12.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $12.08/hr, a medical billing and coding specialist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Vestavia Hills, AL can expect to earn approximately $25,135 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $14,501. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Vestavia Hills.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Vestavia Hills
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $483.36 | $2,095 | $25,135 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $290.02 | $1,257 | $15,081 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $193.34 | $838 | $10,054 |
Compare MBS Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist (Vestavia Hills) | $12.08 |
| 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 Vestavia Hills, AL earn a median of $25,128 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.20% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 4.00% below the Alabama state average of $26,175.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $12.08/hr = $15,081/year (purchasing power: $17,157).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $25,135/year (purchasing power: $28,595).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$10.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$11.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$12.08/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Vestavia Hills (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $10.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $10.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $11.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $11.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $12.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $12.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Vestavia Hills grew 9.6% from $10.78/hr (2021) to $11.81/hr (2025). At a 2.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $12.36/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 Vestavia Hills 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 Vestavia Hills
Examining the potential earnings for part-time medical billing and coding specialists working three days a week yields interesting insights into their financial viability compared to full-time employees. For a commitment of 24 hours weekly, their take-home pay would be significantly lower than full-time counterparts, reflecting the lower hourly rate across the region. Per diem and 1099 medical coding specialists can experience much higher compensation, often billing between $25 and $42 per hour, especially in niche areas such as CCS inpatient coding or CRC risk adjustment roles for Medicare Advantage payers, where rates can soar up to $65 per hour. Different types of employers in Vestavia Hills affect hourly compensation, with differences apparent between physician group practices, hospital coding departments, and third-party coding services. Many medical billing and coding specialists opt for the stability of lower hourly rates while having access to health benefits, creating a trade-off between immediate compensation and long-term security. For those negotiating pay in this competitive landscape, understanding market demands and employer offerings is critical for maximizing their hourly worth in the profession.
More salary data for Vestavia Hills, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical billing and coding specialists in Vestavia Hills in 2026?
How much do part-time medical billing and coding specialists make in Vestavia Hills?
Are medical billing and coding specialists in Vestavia Hills paid hourly or salary?
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Do medical billing and coding specialists earn more per hour working part-time in Vestavia Hills?
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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 Vestavia Hills. 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 Vestavia Hills 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