Medical Coder Salary in Alabaster, AL: $34,982 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical coder in Alabaster, AL earns a median $34,982/year (≈ $16.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2072). Once you factor in Alabaster's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $39,797 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Alabaster, Alabama, medical coders earn a median annual salary of $34,982, which is substantially below the national average for this profession. With a salary range extending from $27,457 at the lower end to $54,222 on the higher end, these figures indicate a diverse market for medical coder pay in Alabaster AL. The compensation reflects estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 while taking regional price variations into account. While local salaries represent just 83.57% of the national median of $41,861, they highlight the economic realities faced by those in the healthcare coding field in this area. The relatively limited number of employed medical coders, totaling only eight in Alabaster, points to a specialized job market that can influence salary dynamics.
About the Alabaster Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,457 | $13.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,056 | $14.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $34,982 | $16.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,016 | $20.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,222 | $26.07 |
Median Salary Position
16.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alabaster
In Alabaster, AL, the medical coder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,765 (2026 est.). At $34,982, the local median is 16.43% below the national median of $41,861.
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At 40 hours/week in Alabaster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alabaster Medical Coder Pay Compares
Alabaster median: $34,982/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alabaster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $36,101 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $41,861 | -16.43% less |
Medical Coders in Alabaster, AL earn a median of $34,982 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.43% lower than the national median of $41,861 and 3.10% below the Alabama state average of $36,101.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alabaster has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alabaster, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A medical coder earning $34,982 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $39,797 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.76% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$31,194
2025 BLS Actual
$34,189
2026 Current Est.
$34,982
2021–2027 Growth
+14.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Coders in Alabaster (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,194 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,542 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,611 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,772 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,189 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,982 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,794 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabaster metropolitan area, the median medical coder salary grew 9.6% from $31,194 (2021) to $34,189 (2025). At a 2.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,794 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,600 (14.75%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabaster 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) | $27,457 – $31,056 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,056 – $34,982 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $34,982 – $43,016 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,016 – $54,222 |
CPC, CCS salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical coder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Coder Job Market in Alabaster
With an 87.9 cost-of-living index, Alabaster presents a unique set of circumstances that affect how far a medical coder's salary can stretch in terms of purchasing power. The local job market offers opportunities, albeit modest, as evidenced by the employment of only eight medical coders in the region. Among the various employers, large healthcare organizations tend to offer higher wages compared to private practices and community health centers, potentially due to their ability to provide comprehensive benefits packages. The differences in compensation levels can often be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, specialized certification, and the size of the employer. For those aiming to maximize their medical coder pay in Alabaster AL, pursuing additional credentials and targeting larger healthcare facilities may yield better financial results in this competitive job market.
More salary data for Alabaster, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $34,189 for medical codersin the Alabaster 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
Salary data for Alabaster is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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