Medical Coder Salary in Alabama: $35,556 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alabama's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median medical coder pay sits at $35,556/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2072. Because Alabama sits at BEA RPP 87.9 (12% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $40,451 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Auburn ($39,448), Opelika ($39,279), Tuscaloosa ($37,544).
In Alabama, the average median salary for medical coders is projected to be $35,556 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $41,861, marking a difference of -15.1%. The highest-paying city in the state is Auburn, where salaries can reach $40,363, while the lowest is Huntsville at $31,228, resulting in a salary gap of $9,135. This disparity is influenced by the cost of living, demand for certified professionals, and local healthcare industries. Alabama has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact job opportunities and salary levels for medical coders. The demand for skilled coders is driven by the growing healthcare sector and the need for accurate billing and compliance with regulations. With a total of 1,938 medical coders employed across the state, the job market is poised for moderate growth, with a projected annual compound growth rate of 2.32%. The top cities for medical coders in Alabama in 2026, apart from Auburn, include Opelika at $40,190, Tuscaloosa at $38,415, Birmingham at $38,055, and Montgomery at $36,974. This diverse landscape offers various opportunities for those entering the field.
Alabama Medical Coder Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alabama: $20,824 (lowest entry-level) to $63,307 (highest top earner)
Alabama vs National Average
Alabama medical coders earn 15.06% less than the national median ($-6,305/year difference).
Alabama Medical Coder Salary Distribution (2026)
Medical Coder salaries in Alabama range from $25,940 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $52,929 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $35,556. The Alabama median is $6,305 below the US national median of $41,861. The average hourly rate is $17.09/hr. Approximately 1,938 medical coders are employed across 24 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$37,133
2025 BLS Actual
$34,750
2026 Current Est.
$35,556
2021–2027 Growth
+-2.0%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Alabama (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,133 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,852 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,776 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,556 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,381 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabama metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew -6.4% from $37,133 (2021) to $34,750 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,381 by 2027 — a total increase of $-752 (-2.03%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabama 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alabama
Lowest Paying Cities in Alabama
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huntsville | $31,228 |
| Dothan | $32,440 |
| Pelham | $33,387 |
| Gadsden | $33,586 |
| Anniston | $33,651 |
Best Value Cities for Medical Coders in Alabama
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alabama cities offer the most purchasing power for medical coders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | $40,363 | 87.933 | $45,902 |
| Opelika | $40,190 | 87.9 | $45,722 |
| Tuscaloosa | $38,415 | 87.722 | $43,792 |
| Florence | $35,910 | 84.817 | $42,338 |
| Decatur | $36,295 | 87.212 | $41,617 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alabama
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $25,940 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $35,556 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $52,929 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alabama metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Alabama
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auburn | $40,363 |
| 2 | Opelika | $40,190 |
| 3 | Tuscaloosa | $38,415 |
| 4 | Birmingham | $38,055 |
| 5 | Montgomery | $36,974 |
| 6 | Daphne | $36,794 |
| 7 | Hoover | $36,453 |
| 8 | Decatur | $36,295 |
| 9 | Florence | $35,910 |
| 10 | Mobile | $35,550 |
| 11 | Phenix City | $35,526 |
| 12 | Prattville | $35,332 |
| 13 | Northport | $35,253 |
| 14 | Madison | $35,200 |
| 15 | Alabaster | $34,982 |
| 16 | Enterprise | $34,926 |
| 17 | Homewood | $34,881 |
| 18 | Vestavia Hills | $34,660 |
| 19 | Albertville | $34,581 |
| 20 | Anniston | $33,651 |
| 21 | Gadsden | $33,586 |
| 22 | Pelham | $33,387 |
| 23 | Dothan | $32,440 |
| 24 | Huntsville | $31,228 |
More Alabama Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced medical coders.
Explore More Medical Coder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical coders make in Alabama in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for medical coders in Alabama?
How does Alabama medical coder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level medical coder salary in Alabama?
How many medical coders are employed in Alabama?
Which Alabama city offers the best value for medical coders?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 2.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 medical coder compensation across Alabama. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more medical coderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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 coders (SOC 29-2072).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, RHIT, CPC, a licensed medical coder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov