Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Huntsville, AL: $22,640 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Huntsville, AL earns a median $22,640/year (≈ $10.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Huntsville's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $24,325 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.5% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Medical billing and coding specialists in Huntsville, Alabama, can expect a median annual salary of $22,640 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $30,349. The salary range for these professionals varies widely, from $19,584 at the 10th percentile to $37,797 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse opportunities in this field. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, reflects a market where specialists in inpatient coding (CCS) generally earn more than those focused on outpatient coding (CPC) or risk adjustment. Considering Huntsville's continued growth, job prospects for coders are promising, particularly for those with the right credentials in a rapidly evolving industry.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19,584 | $9.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21,911 | $10.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $22,640 | $10.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31,643 | $15.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37,797 | $18.17 |
Median Salary Position
25.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huntsville
In Huntsville, AL, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,213 (2026 est.). At $22,640, the local median is 25.4% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Huntsville: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Huntsville Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Huntsville median: $22,640/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huntsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $26,174 | -13.50% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -25.40% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Huntsville, AL earn a median of $22,640 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.40% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 13.50% below the Alabama state average of $26,174.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huntsville has a cost of living 6.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Huntsville, AL has a cost-of-living index of 93.072 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $22,640 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $24,325 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.44% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,440
2025 BLS Actual
$22,127
2026 Current Est.
$22,640
2021–2027 Growth
+-38.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Huntsville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $22,127 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22,640 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23,166 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huntsville metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -40.9% from $37,440 (2021) to $22,127 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $23,166 by 2027 — a total increase of $-14,274 (-38.13%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntsville 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) | $19,584 – $21,911 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $21,911 – $22,640 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $22,640 – $31,643 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $31,643 – $37,797 |
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 Huntsville
In Huntsville, approximately 420 medical billing and coding specialists are currently employed, suggesting a stable local job market. The cost of living index stands at 93.072, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average, which can enhance take-home purchasing power despite the lower salaries. Employers that typically offer higher wages include hospital inpatient coding departments and consulting firms, where coding experience and specialized credentials, such as CRC or CCS, may carry a premium. The disparity in pay within this field can be attributed to several factors such as coding specialty, additional certifications, and the work structure (remote vs. in-office). For individuals looking to maximize their earnings in Huntsville, pursuing continued education and obtaining multiple certifications from recognized organizations like AAPC or AHIMA is a smart strategy, particularly as the demand for risk adjustment coding continues to rise.
More salary data for Huntsville, 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 $22,127 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Huntsville 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