Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Salary in Atlanta, GA: $34,984 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical billing and coding specialist in Atlanta, GA earns a median $34,984/year (≈ $16.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Atlanta's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $34,964 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.7% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For those pursuing a position as a medical billing and coding specialist in Atlanta, Georgia, a promising salary awaits in 2026, projected at $34,984 annually. This figure represents a competitive offering compared to the national median, which stands at $30,349, showcasing a significant local advantage of approximately 15.27%. The salary range for specialists in this field varies widely, with the upper percentile (P90) reaching $53,631 while the lower end (P10) sits at $23,329. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflect the demand for skilled professionals across disciplines, with specialties such as inpatient coding (CCS) commanding higher pay than outpatient coding (CPC) or risk adjustment (HCC). Given the city's robust healthcare network, prospects for advancement appear ripe, especially for those who continue to enhance their skills and expertise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,329 | $11.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27,549 | $13.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $34,984 | $16.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,699 | $20.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,631 | $25.78 |
Median Salary Position
15.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Atlanta
In Atlanta, GA, the medical billing and coding specialist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,302 (2026 est.). At $34,984, the local median is 15.27% above the national median of $30,349.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Atlanta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Atlanta Medical Billing and Coding Specialist Pay Compares
Atlanta median: $34,984/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Atlanta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $27,832 | +25.70% more |
| National Average | $30,349 | +15.27% more |
Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Atlanta, GA earn a median of $34,984 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.27% higher than the national median of $30,349 and 25.70% above the Georgia state average of $27,832.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Atlanta has a cost of living 0.06% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Atlanta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 100.058 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $34,984 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $34,964 — a 0.06% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$42,550
2025 BLS Actual
$34,191
2026 Current Est.
$34,984
2021–2027 Growth
+-15.9%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Billing and Coding Specialists in Atlanta (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $42,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,191 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,984 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,796 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Atlanta metropolitan area, the median medical billing and coding specialist salary grew -19.6% from $42,550 (2021) to $34,191 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,796 by 2027 — a total increase of $-6,754 (-15.87%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Atlanta 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) | $23,329 – $27,549 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $27,549 – $34,984 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $34,984 – $42,699 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,699 – $53,631 |
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 Atlanta
In Atlanta, approximately 2,790 medical billing and coding specialists are employed, indicative of a vibrant job market. The cost of living, slightly above the national average at a CoL index of 100.058, influences the take-home purchasing power for professionals in this field. Employers vary in compensation; those in physician group practice coding offices and hospital inpatient coding departments typically offer the highest pay scales. The disparity in salaries is influenced by factors such as specialty, credential stacking—where combining certifications like CPC, CCS, and CRC can elevate income—and performance bonuses linked to productivity. With the shift to remote and hybrid work models post-2020, opportunities to work from home have become commonplace, allowing for flexibility in work-life balance. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Atlanta, focusing on certifications and pursuing positions with third-party coding companies or payer audit teams can yield noteworthy financial benefits.
More salary data for Atlanta, 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 $34,191 for medical billing and coding specialistsin the Atlanta 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