Medical Coder Pay

Huntsville vs Montgomery: Medical Coder Salary (2026)

Compare medical coder salaries between Huntsville, AL and Montgomery, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntsville, AL
$31,228
$15.01/hr
Montgomery, AL
$36,974
$17.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntsville, ALMontgomery, AL
Median Salary$31,228$36,974
Hourly Rate$15.01$17.78
Entry Level (P10)$27,012$26,284
25th Percentile$30,221$30,868
75th Percentile$43,646$42,221
Top Earner (P90)$52,134$52,019
Total Employed420200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntsville ($31,228) and Montgomery ($36,974) medical coder salaries.HuntsvilleMontgomeryMedian Salary$31,228$36,974Entry Level (P10)$27,012$26,284Top Earner (P90)$52,134$52,019US Median $41,861

Verdict

Huntsville and Montgomery are closely matched on overall medical coder compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Huntsville and Montgomery is $5,746 (18.40%). Montgomery's median is -11.67% compared to the US national median of $41,861.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntsville spans $25,122,Montgomery spans $25,735. Montgomery has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical coders.

Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$27,012
P25$30,221
Median$31,228
P75$43,646
P90 (Top)$52,134
Montgomery
P10 (Entry)$26,284
P25$30,868
Median$36,974
P75$42,221
P90 (Top)$52,019

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Montgomery ($41,228 effective) pays 22.88% more than Huntsville ($33,553 effective).

Huntsville
Nominal: $31,228
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $33,553
Montgomery
Nominal: $36,974
CoL Index: 89.682
Adjusted: $41,228

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($52,134)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Montgomery if…

  • Higher median salary ($36,974/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $41,228)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical coder salaries in Huntsville grew -18.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -3.2% growth in Montgomery over the same period.

Huntsville, AL

+-18.5%

$37,440 (2021) → $30,520 (2025)

Montgomery, AL

+-3.2%

$37,330 (2021) → $36,136 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical coders more: Huntsville or Montgomery?

Montgomery has a higher median medical coder salary at $36,974/year, compared to Huntsville at $31,228/year — a difference of $5,746 (18.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntsville and Montgomery?

Huntsville medical coders earn $15.01/hr while Montgomery hygienists earn $17.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntsville to Montgomery as a medical coder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntsville and Montgomery. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntsville = $33,553, Montgomery = $41,228), job availability (420 vs 200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical coders earn in Huntsville vs Montgomery?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical coders earn $27,012 in Huntsville and $26,284 in Montgomery. The Huntsville area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

Written by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC

Career Analyst

Aisha has over 10 years of experience in medical coding. She specializes in inpatient coding at acute care facilities. Aisha works closely with healthcare providers to ensure accurate coding practices.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Chen, CPC, CCSData verified by Maria Gonzales, CPC, CCA

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 Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC, a licensed medical coder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov