Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Athens, GA: $27,507 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Athens, GA earns a median $27,507/year (≈ $13.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Athens's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $29,469 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For 2026, the projected annual median medical billing and coding specialist salary in Athens, Georgia is $27,507, reflecting a significant gap when compared to the national median of $30,349. The salary range for this profession in Athens spans from $20,890 at the 10th percentile to as high as $36,474 at the 90th percentile, indicating variance based on experience and specialization. Those focusing on inpatient coding, particularly with certifications like CCS, tend to earn towards the higher end of this spectrum, whereas outpatient coding professionals, such as those with a CPC credential, may see lower earnings. These figures come from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and underscore the importance of specialization and ongoing education within the medical coding field in Athens.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20,890 | $10.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22,386 | $10.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $27,507 | $13.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33,127 | $15.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36,474 | $17.54 |
Median Salary Position
9.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, GA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,584 (2026 est.). At $27,507, the local median is 9.36% below the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Athens Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Athens median: $27,507/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $27,813 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $30,349 | -9.36% less |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Athens, GA earn a median of $27,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.36% lower than the national median of $30,349 and 1.10% below the Georgia state average of $27,813.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 6.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.343 (below the national average of 100). A medical billing and coding specialist earning $27,507 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $29,469 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.13% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$46,660
2025 BLS Actual
$26,883
2026 Current Est.
$27,507
2021–2027 Growth
+-39.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Athens (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $26,883 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27,507 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28,145 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -42.4% from $46,660 (2021) to $26,883 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $28,145 by 2027 — a total increase of $-18,515 (-39.68%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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) | $20,890 – $22,386 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $22,386 – $27,507 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $27,507 – $33,127 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $33,127 – $36,474 |
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 Athens
The local job market for medical billing and coding specialists in Athens includes around 100 professionals, which contributes to a relatively stable employment landscape. With a cost-of-living index of 93.343, living expenses are slightly below the national average, positively influencing take-home pay for coders in the region. Employers offering the highest compensation typically include hospital inpatient coding departments and insurance company coding audit teams, though third-party coding companies that allow for remote work are also competitive. Factors driving the pay spread include the specialty of coding, credential stacking, and potential bonuses linked to productivity. Professionals seeking to maximize their income here should consider pursuing additional certifications such as CRC or CCS, as well as exploring remote positions that offer flexibility alongside competitive pay rates.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
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 $26,883 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Athens 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