Medical Billing Salary

Augusta vs Sandy Springs: Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary (2026)

Compare medical billing and coding specialist salaries between Augusta, GA and Sandy Springs, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$31,945
$15.36/hr
Sandy Springs, GA
$35,669
$17.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GASandy Springs, GA
Median Salary$31,945$35,669
Hourly Rate$15.36$17.15
Entry Level (P10)$21,922$25,088
25th Percentile$25,892$29,636
75th Percentile$38,676$45,109
Top Earner (P90)$44,723$55,287
Total Employed41018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($31,945) and Sandy Springs ($35,669) medical billing and coding specialist salaries.AugustaSandy SpringsMedian Salary$31,945$35,669Entry Level (P10)$21,922$25,088Top Earner (P90)$44,723$55,287US Median $30,349

Verdict

Sandy Springs, GA offers better overall compensation for medical billing and coding specialists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Augusta.

The salary gap between Augusta and Sandy Springs is $3,724 (11.66%). Sandy Springs's median is +17.53% compared to the US national median of $30,349.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $22,801,Sandy Springs spans $30,199. Sandy Springs has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical billing and coding specialists.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$21,922
P25$25,892
Median$31,945
P75$38,676
P90 (Top)$44,723
Sandy Springs
P10 (Entry)$25,088
P25$29,636
Median$35,669
P75$45,109
P90 (Top)$55,287

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sandy Springs ($38,313 effective) pays 10.22% more than Augusta ($34,759 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $31,945
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $34,759
Sandy Springs
Nominal: $35,669
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $38,313

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Larger job market (410 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Sandy Springs if…

  • Higher median salary ($35,669/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($55,287)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $38,313)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical billing and coding specialist salaries in Augusta grew -30.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -24.2% growth in Sandy Springs over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+-30.1%

$44,660 (2021) → $31,221 (2025)

Sandy Springs, GA

+-24.2%

$46,018 (2024) → $34,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical billing and coding specialists more: Augusta or Sandy Springs?

Sandy Springs has a higher median medical billing and coding specialist salary at $35,669/year, compared to Augusta at $31,945/year — a difference of $3,724 (11.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Sandy Springs?

Augusta medical billing and coding specialists earn $15.36/hr while Sandy Springs hygienists earn $17.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Sandy Springs as a medical billing and coding specialist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Sandy Springs. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $34,759, Sandy Springs = $38,313), job availability (410 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical billing and coding specialists earn in Augusta vs Sandy Springs?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical billing and coding specialists earn $21,922 in Augusta and $25,088 in Sandy Springs. The Sandy Springs area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Johnson, RHITData verified by Sofia Nguyen, CCS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.32% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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