Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Opelika, AL: $29,139 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Opelika, AL earns a median $29,139/year (≈ $14.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Opelika's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $33,150 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.3% above the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Opelika, Alabama, the projected median annual salary for a medical billing and coding specialist in 2026 is $29,139. This figure is slightly below the national median of $30,349, reflecting regional economic characteristics and a local cost of living index that stands at 87.9. Salary estimates for this profession in Opelika range from $22,809 at the 10th percentile to $45,165 for those at the 90th percentile. These projections, drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional pricing, illustrate a competitive compensation landscape. While outpatient coding roles generally command lower pay, those specializing in inpatient coding can expect higher earnings, which speaks to the broader dynamics of the healthcare billing field.
About the Opelika Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,809 | $10.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25,755 | $12.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $29,139 | $14.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36,837 | $17.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45,165 | $21.71 |
Median Salary Position
3.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Opelika
In Opelika, AL, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,356 (2026 est.). At $29,139, the local median is 3.99% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Opelika: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Opelika Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Opelika median: $29,139/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Opelika Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $26,180 | +11.30% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | -3.99% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Opelika, AL earn a median of $29,139 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.99% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 11.30% above the Alabama state average of $26,180.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Opelika 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.
Opelika, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $29,139 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $33,150 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$25,983
2025 BLS Actual
$28,478
2026 Current Est.
$29,139
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Opelika (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $25,983 | Actual |
| 2022 | $26,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $27,164 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,657 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,478 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29,139 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29,815 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Opelika metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew 9.6% from $25,983 (2021) to $28,478 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $29,815 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,832 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Opelika 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) | $22,809 – $25,755 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $25,755 – $29,139 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $29,139 – $36,837 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $36,837 – $45,165 |
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 Opelika
Currently, only seven medical billing and coding specialists are employed in Opelika, indicating a niche job market that may offer opportunities for growth as the sector expands. The lower cost of living allows for greater purchasing power, even if wages are not the highest in the country. Employers that tend to offer better compensation include hospital inpatient coding departments, third-party coding companies that allow remote work, and larger physician group practices. Factors influencing salary variations include specialized credentials such as CCS or CPC, experience in auditing or compliance, and the shift toward productivity-based pay. To maximize earning potential in Opelika, professionals should consider seeking additional certifications, maintaining up-to-date knowledge of coding standards, and exploring remote work opportunities that are increasingly popular in this evolving field.
More salary data for Opelika, 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 $28,478 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Opelika 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 Opelika 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