Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Gadsden, AL: $24,349 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Gadsden, AL earns a median $24,349/year (≈ $11.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Gadsden's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $28,427 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gadsden, Alabama, the anticipated median annual salary for a medical billing and coding specialist is projected to reach $24,349 by 2026. This figure reflects a significant disparity compared to the national median of $30,349, positioning Gadsden's market approximately 19.77% lower than the national average. The salary range for professionals in this field is broad, spanning from $16,504 at the 10th percentile to $34,052 at the 90th percentile, illustrating varying levels of experience and expertise. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicate that while opportunities are present, the earning potential in Gadsden may require careful career navigation amidst a broader landscape influenced by remote work trends.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16,504 | $7.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20,391 | $9.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $24,349 | $11.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27,358 | $13.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34,052 | $16.37 |
Median Salary Position
19.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gadsden
In Gadsden, AL, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,548 (2026 est.). At $24,349, the local median is 19.77% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gadsden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gadsden Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Gadsden median: $24,349/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gadsden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $26,182 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -19.77% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Gadsden, AL earn a median of $24,349 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.77% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 7.00% below the Alabama state average of $26,182.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gadsden has a cost of living 14.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gadsden, AL has a cost-of-living index of 85.653 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $24,349 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $28,427 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.75% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$34,510
2025 BLS Actual
$23,797
2026 Current Est.
$24,349
2021–2027 Growth
+-27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Gadsden (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $34,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $23,797 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24,349 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24,914 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gadsden metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -31.0% from $34,510 (2021) to $23,797 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $24,914 by 2027 — a total increase of $-9,596 (-27.81%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gadsden 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) | $16,504 – $20,391 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $20,391 – $24,349 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $24,349 – $27,358 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $27,358 – $34,052 |
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 Gadsden
Examining the local job market, Gadsden employs around 40 medical billing and coding specialists, serving as a niche community in a region with a cost-of-living index of 85.653, which is below the national average. This lower index can enhance purchasing power, but it also reflects the need for competitive salaries. Among the various employers, physician group practices and hospital inpatient coding departments typically offer higher pay compared to third-party coding companies or consulting firms. The earnings differential is driven by factors such as the complexity of specialty coding, credential diversification, and additional premium pay linked to compliance audits. For those aspiring to advance their careers in Gadsden, obtaining credentials from recognized bodies like AAPC or AHIMA, focusing on specialties like risk adjustment coding, and exploring remote work opportunities are effective strategies to enhance earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Gadsden, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical billing and coding specialists make in Gadsden, AL in 2026?
Is Gadsden, AL a good place to work as a medical billing and coding specialist?
Can medical billing and coding specialists make $100K in Gadsden?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical billing and coding specialist salary in Gadsden?
How much does a medical billing and coding specialist make per hour in Gadsden?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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 $23,797 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Gadsden 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