Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Alabama: $25,778 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alabama's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median medical billing and coding specialist pay sits at $25,778/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Alabama sits at BEA RPP 87.9 (12% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $29,327 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Auburn ($28,600), Opelika ($28,478), Tuscaloosa ($27,219).
In Alabama, the average median salary for medical billing and coding specialists in 2026 is projected to be $25,779, which is approximately 15.1% lower than the national median of $30,349. This translates to a considerable earnings gap when comparing the highest paying city, Auburn at $29,264, to the lowest, Huntsville at $22,640—a difference of $6,624. Factors contributing to these disparities include variations in local demand for healthcare services, cost of living, and the presence of healthcare facilities in metropolitan areas. Alabama has specific state regulations regarding licensing and the scope of practice for billing and coding specialists, which can influence job satisfaction and professional opportunities. The projected annual growth rate for this field in Alabama is 2.32%, indicating steady demand for skilled specialists amid evolving healthcare legislation and technology. The job market shows potential for growth, particularly in cities like Auburn and Opelika, where salaries are higher due to a more concentrated demand for healthcare professionals. Meanwhile, areas like Birmingham and Montgomery also present viable opportunities for employment, albeit at slightly lower salary levels. Overall, while Alabama salaries are below the national average, the outlook for the field remains positive, driven by continuous healthcare demands.
Alabama Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alabama: $15,097 (lowest entry-level) to $45,898 (highest top earner)
Alabama vs National Average
Alabama medical billing and coding specialists earn 15.06% less than the national median ($-4,571/year difference).
Alabama Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist salaries in Alabama range from $18,807 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $38,373 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $25,778. The Alabama median is $4,571 below the US national median of $30,349. The average hourly rate is $12.39/hr. Approximately 1,938 medical billing and coding specialists are employed across 24 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$37,133
2025 BLS Actual
$25,194
2026 Current Est.
$25,778
2021–2027 Growth
+-29.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Alabama (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,133 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,852 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,776 | Actual |
| 2025 | $25,194 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25,778 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26,376 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabama metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -32.2% from $37,133 (2021) to $25,194 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $26,376 by 2027 — a total increase of $-10,757 (-28.97%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabama 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alabama
Lowest Paying Cities in Alabama
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huntsville | $22,640 |
| Dothan | $23,518 |
| Pelham | $24,206 |
| Gadsden | $24,349 |
| Anniston | $24,397 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Alabama
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alabama cities offer the most purchasing power for medical billing and coding specialists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | $29,264 | 87.933 | $33,280 |
| Opelika | $29,139 | 87.9 | $33,150 |
| Tuscaloosa | $27,850 | 87.722 | $31,748 |
| Florence | $26,035 | 84.817 | $30,695 |
| Decatur | $26,314 | 87.212 | $30,172 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alabama
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $18,807 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $25,778 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $38,373 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alabama metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Alabama
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auburn | $29,264 |
| 2 | Opelika | $29,139 |
| 3 | Tuscaloosa | $27,850 |
| 4 | Birmingham | $27,590 |
| 5 | Montgomery | $26,807 |
| 6 | Daphne | $26,676 |
| 7 | Hoover | $26,428 |
| 8 | Decatur | $26,314 |
| 9 | Florence | $26,035 |
| 10 | Mobile | $25,773 |
| 11 | Phenix City | $25,756 |
| 12 | Prattville | $25,616 |
| 13 | Northport | $25,559 |
| 14 | Madison | $25,520 |
| 15 | Alabaster | $25,362 |
| 16 | Enterprise | $25,321 |
| 17 | Homewood | $25,288 |
| 18 | Vestavia Hills | $25,128 |
| 19 | Albertville | $25,071 |
| 20 | Anniston | $24,397 |
| 21 | Gadsden | $24,349 |
| 22 | Pelham | $24,206 |
| 23 | Dothan | $23,518 |
| 24 | Huntsville | $22,640 |
More Alabama Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore medical billing and coding specialist hourly pay in Alabama cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new medical billing and coding specialists.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical billing and coding specialists.
Explore More Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Alabama in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical billing and coding specialists in Alabama?
How does Alabama medical billing and coding specialist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical billing and coding specialist salary in Alabama?
How many medical billing and coding specialists are employed in Alabama?
Which Alabama city offers the best value for medical billing and coding specialists?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical billing and coding specialist compensation across Alabama. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical billing and coding specialistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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