Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Fairbanks, AK: $36,254 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Fairbanks, AK earns a median $36,254/year (≈ $17.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Fairbanks's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $35,127 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 94.1% above the Alaska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The 2026 median annual salary for a medical billing and coding specialist in Fairbanks, AK, stands at $36,254, reflecting a strong market position when compared to the national median of $30,349. Salaries for these professionals can vary significantly, ranging from $28,456 at the 10th percentile to $47,073 at the 90th percentile. Credential stacking is a critical pathway to increasing earning potential. For example, professionals starting with a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) can advance to Certified Coding Specialist (CCS) and subsequently to Certified Risk Adjustment Coder (CRC), each credential adding value to their skill set. This structured advancement not only enhances expertise in handling complex coding systems like ICD-10-CM and CPT but also aligns with the high demand for specialized roles in Fairbanks's healthcare environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,456 | $13.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29,346 | $14.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,254 | $17.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,803 | $22.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,073 | $22.63 |
Median Salary Position
19.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, AK, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,617 (2026 est.). At $36,254, the local median is 19.46% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fairbanks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fairbanks Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Fairbanks median: $36,254/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fairbanks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska Average | $18,678 | +94.10% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +19.46% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Fairbanks, AK earn a median of $36,254 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.46% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 94.10% above the Alaska state average of $18,678.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fairbanks has a cost of living 3.21% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fairbanks, AK has a cost-of-living index of 103.208 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $36,254 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $35,127 — a 3.11% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$47,620
2025 BLS Actual
$35,432
2026 Current Est.
$36,254
2021–2027 Growth
+-22.1%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Fairbanks (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $47,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,432 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,254 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,095 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairbanks metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -25.6% from $47,620 (2021) to $35,432 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,095 by 2027 — a total increase of $-10,525 (-22.10%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairbanks 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) | $28,456 – $29,346 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $29,346 – $36,254 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,254 – $45,803 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,803 – $47,073 |
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 Fairbanks
In Fairbanks, approximately 190 medical billing and coding specialists comprise the local workforce, highlighting a steady demand for these professionals. However, with a cost of living index of 103.208, the take-home pay may be influenced by the price of goods and services in the area. Employers such as physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments typically offer the highest wages. Factors driving salary variations include the area of specialization, with inpatient coding roles often commanding higher pay than outpatient ones. Credential stacking, particularly with CCS and CRC, tends to lead to better compensation as does experience in audit and compliance subspecialties. Medical coding positions that incorporate productivity bonuses, such as charts coded per hour, further add to income potential. Professionals in Fairbanks can optimize their salaries by continuously updating their skills and seeking remote work opportunities, which have become the standard since the pandemic.
More salary data for Fairbanks, AK:
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 $35,432 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Fairbanks 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