Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL: $27,850 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Tuscaloosa, AL earns a median $27,850/year (≈ $13.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Tuscaloosa's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.7), that paycheck buys what $31,748 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, medical billing and coding specialists in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $27,850. This figure reflects a notable decrease compared to the national median of $30,349, highlighting a pay gap of approximately 8.23%. Local salaries range from $19,567 at the 10th percentile to $39,536 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial variability based on experience, specialty, and employer. The data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, underscores the competitive nature of the healthcare coding field. Professionals specializing in inpatient coding (CCS) typically command higher salaries than those focused on outpatient coding (CPC) and risk adjustment (HCC), thus influencing overall compensation trends in the market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19,567 | $9.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20,836 | $10.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $27,850 | $13.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34,147 | $16.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39,536 | $19.01 |
Median Salary Position
8.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tuscaloosa
In Tuscaloosa, AL, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,969 (2026 est.). At $27,850, the local median is 8.23% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tuscaloosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tuscaloosa Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Tuscaloosa median: $27,850/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tuscaloosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $26,175 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | -8.23% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Tuscaloosa, AL earn a median of $27,850 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.23% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 6.40% above the Alabama state average of $26,175.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tuscaloosa has a cost of living 12.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tuscaloosa, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.722 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $27,850 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $31,748 in an average-cost city — an effective 14% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,180
2025 BLS Actual
$27,219
2026 Current Est.
$27,850
2021–2027 Growth
+-23.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Tuscaloosa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $27,219 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27,850 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,497 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tuscaloosa metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -26.8% from $37,180 (2021) to $27,219 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $28,497 by 2027 — a total increase of $-8,683 (-23.35%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tuscaloosa 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) | $19,567 – $20,836 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $20,836 – $27,850 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $27,850 – $34,147 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $34,147 – $39,536 |
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 Tuscaloosa
With approximately 130 medical billing and coding specialists currently employed in Tuscaloosa, the local job market presents varied opportunities based on specialization and the type of employer. The cost of living index in Tuscaloosa stands at 87.722, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further than in many higher-cost areas, thereby influencing overall purchasing power. Among local employers, physician group practices and hospitals often offer the highest salaries, particularly for roles that require advanced credentials like CCS or CRC. Factors influencing the pay disparity include credential stacking, with additional certifications leading to increased value, as well as roles in audit and compliance which typically pay a premium. To maximize earnings, professionals should focus on continuous education, pursue multiple certifications, and consider remote coding opportunities which have gained traction since 2020, reflecting the evolving nature of medical billing roles in the region.
More salary data for Tuscaloosa, 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 $27,219 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Tuscaloosa 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