Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Birmingham, AL: $27,590 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Birmingham, AL earns a median $27,590/year (≈ $13.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Birmingham's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $30,106 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Birmingham, Alabama, the projected median annual salary for medical billing and coding specialists in 2026 is $27,590. This figure represents a decrease of approximately 9.09% when compared to the national median salary of $30,349. Within this job market, earnings can vary significantly; the salary range spans from $19,779 at the 10th percentile to $39,755 at the 90th percentile. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these salaries reflect the competitive nature of different specialties, with inpatient CCS roles typically commanding higher pay than outpatient CPC and risk adjustment positions. This landscape suggests a need for professionals to consider their specialty and credentialing, influencing their earning potential within Birmingham’s market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19,779 | $9.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22,320 | $10.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $27,590 | $13.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33,454 | $16.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39,755 | $19.11 |
Median Salary Position
9.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Birmingham
In Birmingham, AL, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,976 (2026 est.). At $27,590, the local median is 9.09% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Birmingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Birmingham Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Birmingham median: $27,590/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Birmingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $26,176 | +5.40% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | -9.09% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Birmingham, AL earn a median of $27,590 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.09% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 5.40% above the Alabama state average of $26,176.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Birmingham has a cost of living 8.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Birmingham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 91.644 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $27,590 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $30,106 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.12% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,530
2025 BLS Actual
$26,964
2026 Current Est.
$27,590
2021–2027 Growth
+-24.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Birmingham (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $26,964 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27,590 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,230 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Birmingham metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -28.2% from $37,530 (2021) to $26,964 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $28,230 by 2027 — a total increase of $-9,300 (-24.78%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Birmingham 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) | $19,779 – $22,320 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $22,320 – $27,590 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $27,590 – $33,454 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $33,454 – $39,755 |
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 Birmingham
With about 490 medical billing and coding specialists employed in Birmingham, the local job market has some degree of stability. The cost of living index, at 91.644, is below the national average, which enhances take-home purchasing power for those within this profession. Employers that typically offer higher salaries in Birmingham include large physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments. Variances in pay can be attributed to various factors, including specialty expertise—where inpatient CCS roles tend to pay more than outpatient coding—as well as credential stacking, which can elevate potential earnings. Additionally, productivity bonuses tied to the number of charts coded can further influence compensation. To maximize earnings in this specific market, pursuing multiple certifications from organizations like AAPC or AHIMA, such as credentials in CCS or CRC, may offer a significant advantage, particularly in the growing area of risk adjustment coding.
More salary data for Birmingham, 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 $26,964 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Birmingham 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
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