Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Alabaster, AL: $25,362 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Alabaster, AL earns a median $25,362/year (≈ $12.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Alabaster's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $28,853 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a medical billing and coding specialist in Alabaster, Alabama, can anticipate a median annual salary of $25,362, significantly below the national average, which is $30,349. This median figure falls within a salary range that spans from $19,906 at the lower end to $39,311 at the higher end, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in this field. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations. Credential stacking, such as acquiring certifications like CPC, CCS, and CRC, can substantially influence lifetime earnings, with professionals holding multiple credentials often earning at the top of the local pay scale. Despite the lower-than-average compensation in Alabaster, the job market for medical billing and coding specialists remains stable, suggesting an ongoing demand for these essential roles within the healthcare industry.
About the Alabaster Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19,906 | $9.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22,516 | $10.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $25,362 | $12.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31,187 | $14.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39,311 | $18.90 |
Median Salary Position
16.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alabaster
In Alabaster, AL, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,405 (2026 est.). At $25,362, the local median is 16.43% below the national median of $30,349.
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At 40 hours/week in Alabaster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alabaster Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Alabaster median: $25,362/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alabaster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $26,173 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -16.43% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Alabaster, AL earn a median of $25,362 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.43% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 3.10% below the Alabama state average of $26,173.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alabaster has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alabaster, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $25,362 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $28,853 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.76% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$22,616
2025 BLS Actual
$24,787
2026 Current Est.
$25,362
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Alabaster (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22,616 | Actual |
| 2022 | $22,868 | Actual |
| 2023 | $23,643 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,772 | Actual |
| 2025 | $24,787 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25,362 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25,950 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabaster metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $22,616 (2021) to $24,787 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $25,950 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,334 (14.74%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabaster 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $19,906 – $22,516 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $22,516 – $25,362 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $25,362 – $31,187 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $31,187 – $39,311 |
MBS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical billing and coding specialist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Job Market in Alabaster
As of 2026, only eight individuals hold positions as medical billing and coding specialists in Alabaster, indicating limited job opportunities in this specific area. However, the cost of living index for the city is 87.9, which can enhance the purchasing power of salaries earned, providing a cushion against lower compensation levels. Employers that pay the most typically include physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments, but opportunities exist within third-party coding companies that offer remote work, which has become popular post-2020. The variation in pay is largely driven by specialty areas—those specializing in inpatient coding with CCS credentials often earn significantly more than those with CPC or CRC designations. Maximizing pay in this market involves pursuing relevant certifications, understanding coding compliance, and leveraging productivity bonuses tied to the volume of charts coded per hour. Networking with local employers and staying updated on the latest coding guidelines, such as ICD-10-CM and CPT changes, can also position candidates favorably in this evolving field.
More salary data for Alabaster, 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $24,787 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Alabaster metropolitan area. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Alabaster 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